OpenAI has removed all references to io, the hardware startup co-founded by renowned former Apple designer Jony Ive, from its official website and social media platforms. This development comes shortly after OpenAI’s announcement regarding its acquisition worth nearly $6.5 billion and its intention to establish AI-specific hardware.
In a statement to Technology News, OpenAI confirmed that the acquisition is still moving forward but noted the removal of mentions of io was prompted by a trademark dispute with Iyo, a startup focused on hearing devices that emerged from Google’s innovation lab.
The original blog post announcing the acquisition, along with a nine-minute video featuring Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has been taken down. This announcement had previously stated that the io team would integrate with OpenAI, allowing for closer collaboration with teams in research, engineering, and product development in San Francisco.
OpenAI spokesperson Kayla Wood addressed the situation:
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.
