OpenAI and Jony Ive's 'io' branding dispute
OpenAI just wiped all mentions of "io"—the AI hardware startup founded by Apple design legend Jony Ive—from its website and socials.
This was after a court order following a trademark complaint from Iyo, a hearing device startup spun out of Google's moonshot factory.
Even so, OpenAI says its $6.5 billion deal to buy io is still moving forward.
OpenAI's official statement on the matter
Addressing the situation, OpenAI shared, "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."
Basically: the naming issue isn't stopping their bigger plans.
What does have in mind?
Jony Ive started io to build cutting-edge AI gadgets—and now he's set to join OpenAI as creative head for hardware design.
The goal? Launch their first consumer AI device within a year.
CEO Sam Altman says this partnership will bring fresh new products inspired by Ive's iconic design style.