OpenAI Barred from Using "Cameo" in Sora 2 by US Court

OpenAI's Trademark Troubles Keep Mounting

A US federal district court in Northern California has ruled in favor of Cameo — the celebrity personalized video platform — ordering OpenAI to stop using the word "Cameo" in connection with its Sora 2 video generation product. The court found that OpenAI's use of "Cameo" was similar enough to cause consumer confusion with the existing brand.

The ruling rejected OpenAI's argument that the word was merely descriptive, finding that it "suggests rather than describes" the feature.

What OpenAI's Cameo Feature Did

Sora 2's "Cameo" feature allowed users to insert digital likenesses of themselves into AI-generated videos — a concept that parallels what Cameo the platform does, albeit through AI rather than celebrity participation.

A temporary restraining order had already been issued back in November 2025, prompting OpenAI to rename the feature to "Characters." The new ruling makes that ban permanent.

Part of a Broader IP Pattern

This is far from OpenAI's only trademark headache. Earlier this month, the company ditched "IO" branding around its upcoming hardware products following legal pressure. Digital library app OverDrive also sued OpenAI over its use of "Sora," and the company is embroiled in copyright disputes with artists and media groups globally.

OpenAI's response: "We disagree with the complaint's assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word 'cameo,' and we look forward to continuing to make our case."

The Bottom Line

OpenAI is building some of the most powerful AI products in the world — but it keeps stumbling on the mundane problem of naming them. IO, Sora, Cameo — every product name becomes a legal battle. At this rate, finding names nobody owns may be harder than training the models themselves.