A United States federal judge has temporarily prohibited OpenAI from using the term “cameo” for a feature in its new AI video generation app, Sora, following a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by the celebrity video-sharing platform Cameo. The ruling underscores the escalating legal and ethical complexities surrounding artificial intelligence, a field that is also gaining significant traction within Kenya's creative and tech communities.

On Monday, November 24, 2025, U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee in Northern California granted the temporary restraining order, which will remain in effect until December 22, 2025. The order explicitly forbids OpenAI from using “cameo,” or similar variations like “Kameo” and “CameoVideo,” in connection with its Sora application. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 19, 2025, to determine if the injunction should be made permanent.

The lawsuit was initiated in October 2025 by Baron App, Inc., the company that operates Cameo. Founded in 2017, Cameo has built a significant brand allowing users to purchase personalized video messages from celebrities. The company alleges that OpenAI's use of the same term for a feature in its Sora app is likely to cause consumer confusion and dilute its established trademark. The Sora feature in question allows users to create and insert their own digital likenesses, or those of their friends with consent, into AI-generated videos.

In a statement to CNBC, Cameo CEO Steven Galanis expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, “We are gratified by the court’s decision, which recognizes the need to protect consumers from the confusion that OpenAI has created by using the Cameo trademark.” Galanis had previously mentioned that Cameo attempted to resolve the matter “amicably” before resorting to legal action.

OpenAI has contested the claims. A spokesperson for the AI research and deployment company stated, “We disagree with the complaint’s assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo’, and we look forward to continuing to make our case to the court.” The company argues that “cameo” is a generic term widely used in the entertainment industry.

Global Precedent, Local Relevance

While this legal battle is unfolding in a U.S. court, its outcome could set a significant precedent for the burgeoning AI industry globally. For Kenya, where the creative economy is increasingly adopting AI tools, the case highlights the critical importance of intellectual property (IP) rights in the digital age. Kenyan law, including the Trademarks Act and the Copyright Act, does not yet explicitly address ownership or infringement by AI systems. Legal experts note that current frameworks attribute authorship and ownership to the natural person who made the necessary arrangements for the AI to create the work.

The OpenAI-Cameo dispute serves as a cautionary tale for Kenyan tech startups and content creators. As AI tools for video, music, and text generation become more accessible, the potential for inadvertent trademark or copyright infringement rises. This case demonstrates that even commonly used words, when established as a strong brand identifier, can become fiercely protected assets. The risk of legal challenges is a growing concern for developers who may choose common terms for new AI features without thorough trademark clearance.

The rapid growth of AI-generated content also raises questions about market saturation and the valuation of human creativity. A 2024 survey by Creative Garage in Nairobi found that over 75% of Kenyan artists are actively using AI in their work, expressing both optimism about its potential for idea generation and workflow improvement, and fears about job displacement and the devaluation of their skills.

As the global legal frameworks struggle to keep pace with technological advancements, this high-profile trademark case will be closely watched by tech companies, investors, and creative professionals in East Africa and beyond. The final verdict could influence how AI developers name their products and features, and reinforce the need for robust IP protection strategies in an increasingly automated world.