The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a temporary injunction preventing OpenAI from using the “Io” brand, founded by former Apple lead designer Jony Ive. The legal dispute stems from claims by the startup iyO, which develops AI-powered headphones at Google’s laboratory. In June 2025, iyO filed a lawsuit against Io, OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Jony Ive, citing trademark infringement.
The court ruled in favor of iyO, stating that the names of the two companies sound similar and their products belong to a similar market, which could create consumer confusion. The judge also noted that the aggressive market strategy of Io, acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion, poses a significant threat to iyO’s efforts to attract investment.
The case has now been sent back for a full trial, which is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. Expert testimony and jury participation are expected, with hearings potentially continuing through 2027–2028. During this period, OpenAI and Jony Ive’s team will not be allowed to use the disputed brand name.
