OpenAI learned the hard way that Cameo trademarked the word ‘cameo’

OpenAI’s social app Sora launched with a controversial feature called Cameo, which allows users to deepfake themselves or others (with permission). The introduction of the position was difficult – the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. had to be involved, to give you an idea of ​​what was going on – but now it faces a new challenge.

Apparently Cameo – the app that lets you buy custom video messages from celebrities – can do just that claim the trademark from the word ‘cameo’.

U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee granted a temporary restraining order preventing OpenAI from using the word “cameo,” as well as any similar-sounding words or phrases, against Sora.

The temporary restraining order of November 21, 2025 expires on December 22, 2025 at 5 p.m. A hearing on the case is scheduled for December 19, 2025 at 11 a.m.

However, as of Monday afternoon, the Sora app is still using the “cameo” language.

“We are pleased with the court’s decision, which recognizes the need to protect consumers from the confusion OpenAI has created through its use of the Cameo trademark,” Cameo CEO Steven Galanis said in a statement. “While the court’s order is temporary, we hope that OpenAI will agree to permanently stop using our mark to avoid further harm to the public or Cameo.”

OpenAI disagrees with the claim that the company can claim exclusive ownership over the word “cameo,” the company told CNBC.