OpenAI旗下商标“io”名称上诉失败，法院：恐混淆危害小公司

Core Viewpoint - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a temporary injunction against OpenAI's use of the "io" brand, complicating the trademark dispute with iyO, a company founded by Jony Ive, which claims potential consumer confusion and competitive harm [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The case began when OpenAI announced its acquisition of iyO, leading to a lawsuit from iyO citing "name confusion and product competition" due to OpenAI's plans to launch a similar AI earbud product [1]. - The initial ruling favored iyO, prompting OpenAI to remove related announcements and appeal, which has now been denied [4]. Group 2: Court's Rationale - The court provided three main reasons for the ruling: 1. "IO" and "iyO" are phonetically identical and both focus on AI interaction devices, increasing the likelihood of consumer confusion [4]. 2. OpenAI, as a financially robust latecomer, could cause "reverse confusion," leading users to mistakenly believe that iyO is infringing on OpenAI's brand [4]. 3. OpenAI's aggressive marketing strategies have jeopardized iyO's funding, resulting in irreparable harm [4]. Group 3: Future Implications - The case will be transferred to a district court, with a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for April 2026, and the subsequent evidence collection and trial process may extend until 2028 [4]. - The prohibition on the "io" brand not only delays the launch of products in collaboration with Jony Ive but also adds complexity to the ongoing trademark battle [4].