OpenAI recently removed a promotional video from its website and YouTube. The video had drawn attention for highlighting the friendship between CEO Sam Altman and former Apple designer Jony Ive, as well as OpenAI’s multibillion-dollar deal to acquire their joint startup, io. This move sparked concerns about whether the deal or Ive’s involvement in OpenAI’s design plans had fallen through.
However, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the deal remains intact and has not been cancelled. The reason for taking down the video is related to a legal issue. A court order was issued following a trademark complaint filed by another company, iYo, over the use of the name “io.” As a result, OpenAI was required to remove all promotional materials that used the name in question.
OpenAI responded by confirming that the video’s removal was due to the court order, not because of any issue with the deal itself. The company clearly stated that it does not agree with the complaint and is reviewing its legal options. It also reassured the public that its collaboration with io is continuing as planned.
The company iYO, which filed the complaint, is a startup from Alphabet’s innovation lab and has launched a product involving AI-powered earbuds. The judge overseeing the case mentioned that there may already be signs of consumer confusion between the two brands, which could affect public perception and branding.
Despite the legal complication, the original video is still viewable on X (formerly Twitter). For now, the partnership between OpenAI, Jony Ive, and Sam Altman appears to be moving forward, with the name dispute representing more of a legal distraction than a deal-breaker.
