OpenAI’s social app Sora was released with a controversial feature called Cameo that allows users to deepfake themselves or others (with their permission). The feature has been volatile, requiring the involvement of Martin Luther King Jr.’s estate to find out what happened, but now faces new challenges.
Apparently, Cameo, an app for purchasing custom video messages from celebrities, can claim a trademark on the word “cameo.”
U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee imposed a temporary restraining order against Sora that prohibits OpenAI from using the word “cameo” and similar-sounding words and phrases.
The temporary restraining order issued on November 21, 2025 is scheduled to expire on December 22, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for December 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
However, as of Monday afternoon, the Sora app is still using the “Cameo” language.
“We are pleased with the court’s decision recognizing the need to protect consumers from the confusion caused by OpenAI’s use of Cameo’s trademarks,” Cameo CEO Stephen Galanis said in a statement. “While the court’s order is temporary, we hope that OpenAI will agree to permanently stop using our marks to avoid further harm to the public and Cameo.”
OpenAI disagrees with the argument that the company can claim exclusive ownership of the word “cameo,” the company told CNBC.
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