OpenAI, Jony Ive can’t use ‘io’ name anymore, and here’s the reason why

A federal appeals court has blocked OpenAI and former Apple designer Jony Ive from using the “io” name for their upcoming AI hardware device, dealing a significant blow to their $6.5 billion venture announced earlier this year.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a temporary restraining order that prevents the tech giants from marketing products under the io brand if they’re similar to those planned by iyO, a Google-backed AI audio startup. The court found the names “IO” and “iyO” are phonetically identical and could confuse consumers, with both companies developing AI-driven hardware with natural language interaction.