OpenAI and Jony Ive’s io have eliminated all public particulars of the latter’s acquisition. The much-hyped video saying the acquisition can also be not dwell on YouTube. Opposite to rumors, this isn’t as a result of deal between the 2 firms falling by.
The difficulty stems from a trademark dispute over the identify ‘io,’ utilized by Jony Ive’s agency.
OpenAI scrubs Jony Ive deal after courtroom order
On Might 21, 2025, Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, the corporate behind ChatGPT, introduced a $6.5 billion acquisition of Jony Ive’s io. The announcement was made by an extended video, through which each Sam Altman and Ive gushed over one another. In addition they teased their upcoming AI gadget, which gained’t be a smartphone.
“The merchandise that we’re utilizing to ship and join us to unimaginable expertise, they’re many years outdated,” Ive says within the video. “Yeah, and so it’s simply widespread sense to at the least suppose absolutely there’s one thing past these legacy merchandise.”
The AI-powered gadgets might reportedly debut in 2026.
However earlier than that, the 2 firms should resolve one other drawback. A trademark dispute filed by iYo, a listening to startup spun out of Google — together with a subsequent courtroom order — compelled OpenAI to take down all public content material associated to the announcement.
Nevertheless, this lawsuit gained’t have any impact on OpenAI’s acquisition of Jony Ive’s agency.
In an announcement to The Verge, OpenAI spokesperson Kayla Wooden stated, “This web page is quickly down because of a courtroom order following a trademark criticism from iyO about our use of the identify ‘io.’ We don’t agree with the criticism and are reviewing our choices.”
This web page is quickly down because of a courtroom order following a trademark criticism from iyO about our use of the identify “io.” We don’t agree with the criticism and are reviewing our choices.https://t.co/suwMRPTHqB
— OpenAI Newsroom (@OpenAINewsroom) June 22, 2025
In one other assertion to Bloomberg, a Jony Ive spokesperson stated, “That is an completely baseless criticism and we’ll combat it vigorously.”
So, even when the lawsuit doesn’t go Jony Ive’s manner, the take care of OpenAI will nonetheless stand.