OpenAI Dodges Sanctions for Website Post in ‘io’ Trademark Suit

Sept. 10, 2025, 10:58 PM UTC

OpenAI Inc. and its CEO Sam Altman avoided sanctions sought by AI device startup IYO Inc., as a judge ruled they didn’t violate an order blocking them from using the “io” name while a trademark lawsuit proceeds.

IYO failed to demonstrate that defendants violated the temporary restraining order so “the Court is not required to evaluate sanctions,” Judge Trina L. Thompson said in a docket entry published Wednesday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. She said a written order will be published later.

The order comes one day after a hearing when Thompson repeatedly impelled ...

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