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

OpenAI has encountered significant legal challenges with its social app, Sora, which features a contentious tool named Cameo that enables users to create deepfake videos of themselves or others, given consent is obtained. This feature's introduction was already fraught with complications, notably involving the estate of Martin Luther King Jr. Now, Sora is grappling with a trademark issue after Cameo, the platform known for selling personalized video messages from celebrities, asserted its rights over the term 'cameo.' U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee has issued a temporary restraining order preventing OpenAI from using the term 'cameo' and any similar variations within the Sora app. This order, which was enacted on November 21, 2025, is set to remain in effect until December 22, 2025, when a follow-up hearing is scheduled for December 19, 2025. Despite the legal ruling, as of Monday afternoon, the Sora app continued to utilize the 'cameo' terminology. Cameo's CEO, Steven Galanis, expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, emphasizing the importance of protecting consumers from potential confusion stemming from OpenAI's usage of the trademark. He added, 'While the court’s order is temporary, we hope that OpenAI will agree to stop using our mark permanently to avoid any further harm to the public or Cameo.' However, OpenAI maintains that it does not believe Cameo can lay exclusive claim to the term 'cameo,' as stated in a response to CNBC.