Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name

A U.S. appeals tribunal has upheld a impermanent restraining bid that prevents OpenAI and Jony Ive's caller hardware task from utilizing the sanction "io" for products akin to those planned by AI audio startup iyO, Bloomberg Law reports.


iyO sued OpenAI earlier this year aft the second announced its concern with Ive's caller firm, arguing that OpenAI's planned "io" branding was excessively adjacent to its ain sanction and related to akin AI-driven hardware. Court filings aboriginal showed that Ive and Sam Altman chose the sanction io successful mid-2023, and that iyO CEO Jason Rugolo had approached Altman successful aboriginal 2025 seeking backing for a task astir "the aboriginal of human-computer interface." Altman declined, saying helium was already moving connected "something competitive."

OpenAI countered that io's archetypal merchandise would not beryllium a wearable device, and that Rugolo had voluntarily disclosed details astir iyO portion suggesting OpenAI get his institution for $200 million. Despite this, a territory tribunal issued a impermanent restraining bid blocking OpenAI, Altman, Ive, and IO Products, Inc. from utilizing the io people successful transportation with products deemed sufficiently akin to iyO's planned AI-audio computer. OpenAI removed its io branding soon after.

The Ninth Circuit affirmed the bid earlier this week. The tribunal agreed determination was a likelihood of disorder betwixt "IO" and "iyO," that reverse disorder was a important hazard fixed OpenAI's size, and that iyO could look irreparable harm to its marque and fundraising. However, the ruling does not barroom each uses of the io name, lone selling and selling hardware akin to iyO's.

The lawsuit present returns to the territory tribunal for a preliminary injunction proceeding successful April 2026, with the broader litigation expected to widen into 2027 and 2028. OpenAI's archetypal hardware instrumentality is expected to launch adjacent year.
This article, "Jony Ive's OpenAI Device Barred From Using 'io' Name" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

Discuss this article successful our forums