A major trademark dispute is making global headlines — and this time, it involves Cameo vs OpenAI trademark case the company behind ChatGPT. The popular video and photo app Cameo has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that the tech giant’s new Sora feature, also called Cameo, infringes on its trademark. This case highlights how leading brands are becoming increasingly protective of their names and digital identities in the age of artificial intelligence. Keep reading to learn how this case started and what will happen next.
What Is the Background of the Cameo vs OpenAI Trademark case?
To understand this case better, it’s important to look at how it all began and why it turned into a major legal dispute. In 2017, a platform called Cameo was founded, allowing fans to purchase personalized video messages from celebrities, athletes, and influencers. Over the years, the app has built a strong identity and established a significant presence in the entertainment and creator market. But this trademark dispute began in September 2025, when OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, launched its new AI video-generation app called Sora. One of Sora’s key features was named Cameo, which lets users record short videos or audio clips and create AI-generated likenesses of themselves or others. This feature was promoted as a creative tool for generating personalized AI content.
However, the name Cameo vs OpenAI trademark case immediately caught public attention and raised serious concerns. Soon after the launch, the original Cameo platform noticed the use of its brand name within OpenAI’s product and claimed that this was done intentionally. The company said it attempted to solve the issue privately, warning that the use of its name could confuse users and harm its brand identity. Unfortunately, these discussions did not result in an agreement, eventually leading Cameo to take legal action against OpenAI. After these events, in October 2025, Cameo officially filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the U.S. District Court. In the complaint, Cameo claims that OpenAI intentionally used its brand name Cameo, accusing the company of trademark infringement and misleading branding that could hurt Cameo’s reputation.
What Does OpenAI Say About the Cameo Lawsuit Over Sora’s “Cameo” Feature?
While the case was filed in a U.S. court, OpenAI responded to the lawsuit by denying all allegations and maintaining that its use of the term “Cameo” was not wrongful. The company explained that the word “cameo” is commonly used in the entertainment industry to describe a brief or special appearance. Therefore, no single company can claim rights over it. OpenAI stated that it is looking at the complaint but stands by its position that naming the feature Cameo was neither an imitation nor a misuse of Cameo’s brand. The company also clarified that the Sora “Cameo” feature serves a different purpose, as it allows users to create AI-generated videos, not to book real celebrities for personalized messages.
Now, if we talk about what can happen next that now OpenAI will officially respond to the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, either by denying the claims or asking for the case to be dismissed. The court will then begin the discovery process, where both sides share evidence. There’s also a chance the two companies may settle the dispute privately before it reaches trial. If the case continues, the court will decide whether OpenAI’s use of the word Cameo violated Cameo’s trademark. The ruling could set an important precedent for how AI companies use common words in branding.
Conclusion
The Cameo vs OpenAI trademark case highlights the growing tension between innovation and intellectual property Rights (IPR) in the age of artificial intelligence. As technology companies continue to create new tools and features, protecting brand identity has become more important than ever. The outcome of this lawsuit will not only decide the future of OpenAI’s Cameo feature but could also set a powerful precedent for how AI-driven businesses use names and trademarks in the digital era.