When OpenAI launched its TikTok-like Sora app, a key feature was “Cameo” that allows people to add any likeness to videos they generate. Now the maker of Cameo, an app that allows you to buy short videos from celebrities, has filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of violating its trademark by using the same name, Reuters reported. It claims that OpenAI’s use of “Cameo” is likely to cause consumer confusion and dilute its brand.
“Via the conduct alleged in this Complaint, OpenAI has knowingly co-opted a well-established, federally registered trademark, ignoring… the clear risk of consumer confusion, and the irreparable harm that will be inflicted on Plaintiff’s Cameo trademark rights and brand,” the complaint states.
Open AI is reviewing the complaint, but “disagree[s] that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo,'” a spokesperson told Reuters. Meanwhile, Cameo’s CEO Steven Galanis said it tried to resolve the dispute “amicably,” but OpenAI refused to stop using the name.
Cameo lets users choose from a stable of celebrities — including the likes of Jon Gruden, Lisa Vanderpump and Colin Mochrie — to create short, personalized videos. Prices range from around $30 to $600 per video.
Sora, meanwhile, uses OpenAI’s Sora 2 video generation tech to create and share videos. The app immediately drew attention over potentially unauthorized use of anime, deceased celebrities and other legally protected sources.
Cameo stated that OpenAI not only used its name, but starting offering its own cameo service using deepfake likenesses of celebrities like Mark Cuban and Jake Paul. “Users seeking a personalized celebrity video [could] use Plaintiff’s Cameo service to book talent and receive an authentic, custom video prepared by that celebrity, or use Sora’s ‘Cameo’ service to create an extremely realistic AI-generated video featuring a celebrity’s likeness,” the lawsuit states.