OpenAI has recently removed all public references to its AI hardware collaboration with renowned designer Jony Ive, following a trademark lawsuit concerning the brand name io. This action includes the deletion of the official blog post and a nine-minute video featuring Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, both of which were initially released to announce OpenAI’s $6.5 billion acquisition of Ive’s hardware startup, IO Products.
Background of the Partnership
In May 2025, OpenAI announced the acquisition of IO Products, a hardware startup co-founded by Jony Ive, the former Chief Design Officer at Apple. This strategic move aimed to integrate Ive’s design expertise into OpenAI’s development of AI-powered consumer devices. The collaboration was set to position IO Products as a central component of OpenAI’s strategy to create human-centered AI devices.
Details of the Trademark Lawsuit
The current legal challenge originates from IYO Inc., a separate company specializing in AI devices, which alleges that the io brand infringes on its existing trademark. As a result, a court order mandated OpenAI to temporarily remove all materials associated with the io branding. Despite this setback, OpenAI has stated that the partnership with Jony Ive remains intact, albeit without the io branding for the time being.
Official Responses
OpenAI addressed the situation by stating, 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. Similarly, a spokesperson for Jony Ive described the complaint as utterly baseless and expressed intentions to contest it vigorously.
Implications for the Partnership
While the branding is currently under legal scrutiny, both OpenAI and Jony Ive have indicated no plans to dissolve their partnership. The original agreement envisioned IO Products playing a pivotal role in OpenAI’s efforts to develop consumer-facing AI devices with a focus on human-centered design. With the branding now suspended, it remains uncertain whether the final products will carry the io name.
Next Steps
OpenAI has removed all references to IO Products from its website and social media platforms. However, the company continues to plan for the integration of Ive’s team into its San Francisco operations, where they will collaborate with OpenAI’s product, research, and engineering divisions. The outcome of the trademark dispute will likely influence the branding and marketing strategies for the forthcoming AI devices.
