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Judge Temporarily Blocks OpenAI From Using "Cameo" in Sora — Trademark Fight May Force Rename

US District Judge Eumi K. Lee has temporarily barred OpenAI from using the term "cameo" for a feature in its Sora video app through December 22 after a trademark suit by Cameo. The disputed feature created likenesses of people, pets or objects and was labeled "cameos" in the app. Cameo's CEO warned the holiday season could amplify harm to the company's brand, while OpenAI says it will continue to contest the claim. A December 19 hearing will decide whether the injunction becomes permanent.

03:41 AM, 11/25/2025Technology

US District Judge Eumi K. Lee has issued a temporary order preventing OpenAI from using the term "cameo" (or any similar name) to describe a feature in its Sora video app through December 22. The move follows a trademark suit filed by Cameo, the company known for selling personalized video messages.

OpenAI had labeled a Sora feature that generates a likeness of a person, pet or object as "cameos." Cameo filed suit on October 28 seeking to stop that use, and Judge Lee wrote that OpenAI is likely infringing Cameo's federally registered trademark.

"Defendants' only argument to the contrary is that the requested injunction would 'harm OpenAI's ability to successfully launch its Sora app and other Sora 2 functionality,'" Lee wrote. "However, Defendants' harm arises from its own likely infringing use of a federally registered mark."

Cameo CEO Steven Galanis urged OpenAI on X to comply quickly with the order, warning that the holiday season could cause "irreparable harm" to Cameo's brand and intellectual property—noting that a large share of BookCameo videos are produced between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

An OpenAI spokesperson said the company "looks forward to continuing to make our case to the court" and disputed the idea that any single party can claim exclusive ownership of the word "cameo."

Judge Lee has scheduled a December 19 hearing to determine whether the temporary restriction should be made permanent. If the injunction is extended, OpenAI may need to rename the Sora feature and adjust related marketing and app text ahead of the holiday period.

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