What was Sam Altman thinking? Did he ask ChatGPT for suggestions? Maybe he needs some lessons in prompting.

OverDrive Takes Legal Action Over ‘Sora’

While copyright claims against AI firms often navigate uncertain, pre-AI laws, OpenAI’s launch of ‘Sora’ seems a clear-cut trademark blunder. OverDrive, the library vendor, has filed an infringement suit over the name of OpenAI’s new text-to-video tool.

Established Brand at Risk

OverDrive’s ‘Sora’ is an established brand in the education sector—a digital borrowing platform for students. The complaint argues that OpenAI, with a multitude of names to choose from, selected one with significant existing goodwill.

It highlights a “grave risk of reputational harm” for OverDrive if the public associates its educational, IP-respecting brand with OpenAI, which faces its own controversies, including around its impact on young people.

Evidence of Market Confusion

The suit details months of objections from OverDrive and presents evidence of marketplace confusion, including queries from librarians and misdirected tech support emails. It even suggests OpenAI is leaning into the confusion, noting the logos are styled similarly.

Importance of Trademark Protection in AI

This case is a stark reminder that even in the fast-moving AI space, fundamental IP principles like trademark protection remain critical. For publishing professionals, it underlines the importance of robust brand management and the very real risks of market confusion when new tech products encroach on established literary and educational territories.

OpenAI’s Leadership Under Question

What was Sam Altman thinking? Did he ask ChatGPT for suggestions? Maybe he needs some lessons in prompting.

And what were OpenAI’s lawyers thinking? This feels like an avoidable own goal.

Another Lawsuit Over ‘Sora’

OpenAI faces another Sora-related lawsuit, launched in October, by celebrity video platform Cameo. Cameo, the platform, claims Sora Cameos infringe its trademark.

A Common Word Debate

But here I’m inclined to back OpenAI. The word cameo is common enough, and has long history, dating back hundreds of years.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.