OpenAI has removed a high-profile promotional video from its website and YouTube channel following a court order linked to a trademark dispute. The video showcased the close working relationship between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and famed Apple designer Jony Ive, highlighting their $6.5 billion collaboration to develop hardware through their joint startup, io.
Although the video’s sudden removal raised speculation about the status of the partnership or the future of Ive’s role at OpenAI, sources close to the matter say the deal remains intact. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the project is progressing and has not been canceled or disrupted. The reason for the takedown lies in a legal issue concerning the name “io.”
A judge issued a temporary restraining order after a trademark complaint from a company named iyO, which emerged from Alphabet’s X research division. As a result, OpenAI was compelled to pull all promotional materials that included the io name. OpenAI updated its website to reflect this legal development, stating, “This page is temporarily down due to a court order following a trademark complaint from iyO about our use of the name ‘io.’ We don’t agree with the complaint and are reviewing our options.”
iyO recently introduced a product line of generative AI-powered earbuds and has argued in court that OpenAI’s use of the name “io” may already be causing confusion among consumers. A previous Bloomberg Law report indicated the judge appeared open to its concerns, prompting the order.
Despite the legal setback, OpenAI has made it clear that the trademark issue does not impact the ongoing partnership with Ive or the broader strategic goals of the io venture. The company is currently assessing how to respond to the complaint while continuing development on its hardware ambitions led by Ive and Altman.
