U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee has issued a temporary restraining order blocking OpenAI from using the term “cameo” in connection with its AI video app Sora, ruling that the company is likely infringing on a trademark held by Cameo, the celebrity video messaging platform. The order, effective immediately and set to expire on December 22, 2025, prohibits OpenAI from using the word “cameo” or any similar-sounding names in the marketing, features, or user interface of Sora, a TikTok-style app that generates AI videos allowing users to insert themselves, pets, or objects into scenes. The controversy stems from Sora’s feature that lets users create personalized video clips by “deepfaking” their likeness into various scenes — a function the company dubbed “cameo.” Cameo, the well-known app where users pay for custom video messages from celebrities, filed a federal lawsuit in October 2025, arguing that OpenAI’s use of the term would cause consumer confusion and damage its brand. The company’s CEO, Steven Galanis, emphasized the timing, noting that 30% of all videos on BookCameo — a related service — are created between Thanksgiving and Christmas, making swift compliance critical to avoid irreparable harm. Judge Lee agreed, stating in her ruling that OpenAI’s use of the trademarked term is likely infringing and that any harm to the company is self-inflicted due to its own unauthorized use of a federally registered mark. She rejected OpenAI’s argument that the injunction would hinder its ability to launch Sora and future features, noting that the harm stems from OpenAI’s own actions. Despite the court order, as of late Monday afternoon, OpenAI continued to use the term “cameo” within the Sora app, prompting Cameo to urge swift compliance. Galanis reiterated that the court’s decision recognizes the need to protect consumers from confusion and safeguard intellectual property. OpenAI, however, disputes the claim that the word “cameo” can be exclusively owned. In a statement to CNBC, the company argued that “anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo’” and expressed its intent to continue defending its position in court. The company maintains that “cameo” is a common English word meaning a brief appearance and that its use in Sora is descriptive and not misleading. A hearing on whether the temporary restraining order should be made permanent is scheduled for December 19, 2025. The outcome could set a significant precedent in how trademark law applies to AI companies using everyday language in product features. The case highlights growing legal tensions between AI firms and established brands over the use of common terms in digital products. While OpenAI’s Sora launched with high-profile features — including a controversial deepfake capability that required intervention from the estate of Martin Luther King Jr. — this trademark dispute adds another layer of legal risk to its rollout. The ruling underscores the challenges AI companies face in navigating intellectual property rights, especially when leveraging widely used words for innovative features. As AI continues to integrate into consumer apps, courts may increasingly be called upon to balance innovation with brand protection. For now, OpenAI must either rebrand its feature or risk further legal consequences.