OpenAI has quietly removed promotional videos featuring CEO Sam Altman and former Apple designer Jony Ive from its official website and YouTube channel. The video content previewed their collaborative vision for AI hardware, coinciding with the announcement of OpenAI's $6.4 billion acquisition of Ive's company io.
The takedown was linked to a trademark complaint regarding the use of the "io" name. The dispute originated from iyO - a startup developing screen-free voice-controlled audio computers that spun out of Alphabet's moonshot division in 2021, having launched its first AI-powered headphone product.
Trademark Challenges Disrupt Launch Momentum
OpenAI's official website replaced the original io acquisition blog post with information about the trademark issue. This appears connected to iyO's legal action filed shortly after the deal's announcement, alleging brand confusion as both companies operate in the AI space.
According to Bloomberg reports, a California federal judge recently acknowledged iyO's concerns and issued a preliminary injunction against OpenAI using the "io" moniker. While OpenAI stated on its website they disagree with the complaint and are reviewing options, tech analyst Mark Gurman confirmed the court order forced removal of all io-branded materials. He emphasized the core business transaction remains viable.
Ive's recruitment through his company's acquisition was specifically intended to lead OpenAI's upcoming hardware initiatives. Though details remain undisclosed, The New York Times revealed the collaboration began two years ago with plans for an AI-powered device designed to deliver "less intrusive computing experiences" compared to smartphones.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts the device may feature wearable form factors similar to Humane's now-discontinued AI Pin. These design similarities might have influenced iyO's litigation strategy, given the parallels with their audio-focused AI product line.
The upcoming OpenAI hardware ecosystem, including Ive's device and the Stargate supercomputer, will serve as platforms for GPT-5. Expected this late summer, the unified model will integrate reasoning capabilities with advanced tools like Deep Research for seamless handling of complex tasks.
Mounting Pressure from Silicon Valley Partnerships
iO is not OpenAI's sole commercial challenge. Microsoft, its long-time collaborator since 2019, is reportedly seeking increased equity as Altman shifts toward a public benefit company structure. Altman has explicitly stated intentions to reduce dependence on Microsoft as primary infrastructure provider, with recent speculation pointing to potential Google Cloud integration for computational needs.
OpenAI is also distancing itself from Scale AI, a key data partner whose founder recently joined Meta. While rumors suggest Meta's hiring practices contributed to this separation, OpenAI maintains the decision predates Facebook's involvement.
Apple Benefits from Collaboration Hurdles
Apple may view these developments positively, given Ive's foundational role in shaping Apple's design identity during his 30-year tenure. Gurman noted Apple's surprise when Ive joined OpenAI, as the collaboration inevitably posed iPhone competition risks. Despite being late to the AI game, Apple's recent AI announcements focused more on branding than innovation, according to industry observers. Features like Genmoji and prioritized notifications appear outdated compared to multimodal capabilities in competing GPT-4o and Gemini 2.0 Flash models.
The company's most ambitious AI project - AR glasses - remains targeted for 2026. While developing a ChatGPT rival called "Knowledge" that can web-scrape data, the initiative faces delays similar to previous Siri overhauls.
Meta Talent Competition Sparks New Tensions
CEO Sam Altman has recently accused Meta of poaching OpenAI talent, marking another front in the company's expanding challenges.
