Overview
- The appeals court left in place a temporary restraining order that bars OpenAI from marketing with the “io” name.
- Judges cited likely consumer confusion, the risk of reverse confusion by a dominant entrant, and harm to iyO’s financing and brand value.
- OpenAI argued its initial product differs from iyO’s earbud and wearable focus and said iyO’s CEO sought a $200 million sale, according to court filings.
- Jony Ive and Sam Altman have said a prototype exists for their consumer AI device and indicated a potential production window of about two years.
- Reporting says dozens of engineers and designers have departed Apple to join OpenAI’s hardware team, reflecting intensifying competition for AI device talent.