OpenAI halts publishing of branding and interview footage due to lawsuit over Jony Ive's 'io' trademark, but acquisition partnership continues

In May 2025, OpenAI acquired io, an AI device startup founded by Jony Ive, known as the designer of Apple products such as the iPhone and iPod. However, marketing materials and videos related to this acquisition have been suspended due to a trademark lawsuit.

This page is temporarily down due to a court order following a trademark complaint from iyO about our use of the name “io.” We don't agree with the complaint and are reviewing our options.

https://t.co/suwMRPTHqB

— OpenAI Newsroom (@OpenAINewsroom) June 22, 2025

Jony Ive Deal Removed From OpenAI Site Over Trademark Suit - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-22/jony-ive-deal-removed-from-openai-site-over-trademark-suit

io is an AI device startup founded by former Apple engineers Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan after Ive, who was Apple's Chief Design Officer, ended his contract with Apple. On May 21, 2025, OpenAI announced that it would acquire io.

OpenAI acquires former Apple designer Jony Ive's device startup 'io', developing 'the coolest' AI hardware the world has ever seen, set to be released as early as 2026 - GIGAZINE

Along with this announcement, a video of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Ive talking was released on YouTube, but it was not publicly available at the time of writing.

However, at the time of writing, the movie was still available on CEO Altman's personal X (formerly Twitter) account.

thrilled to be partnering with jony, imo the greatest designer in the world.

excited to try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers. pic.twitter.com/IPZBNrz1jQ

— Sam Altman (@sama) May 21, 2025

Also, OpenAI's webpage featuring the io acquisition was temporarily taken down. If you check it, you'll see the message, 'This page has been temporarily taken down by court order following a trademark infringement complaint filed by iyO regarding its use of the name 'io'. We disagree with this complaint and are considering a response.'

According to Bloomberg, on June 18, 2025, iYo, an AI hearing aid startup independent of Google, filed a lawsuit against io for trademark infringement. As a result, the court issued an injunction against the name io, forcing OpenAI to withdraw all materials using the name io.

In response to this issue, an OpenAI spokesperson said, 'These are completely baseless complaints and we will defend ourselves vigorously,' and that the acquisition of io will not be affected.