This video interview between Jony Ive and Sam Altman has been deleted – Image credit: Openai
The nine-minute video that Jony Ive and Sam Altman discussed the recently acquired AI startup has been withdrawn due to a challenge to the “IO” name.
The existence of IVE and Altman AI startups was reported about as before April 2024, but their name wasn't known a year later. Still, it was first reported that Inapril 2025 is known as the “IO Project.”
By the time the company was purchased by Altman's Openai in May 2025 for $6.5 billion, it had been officially announced under the name “IO.” As was discovered first TechCrunchthe name proves to be a problem.
A company called IYO is opposed to the name IO and takes it to court to argue that it will cause consumer confusion over its own AI products. The IYO company comes from the R&D Alphabet X project and is an AI device that relies solely on speech.
The case is still under decision, but Judge Trina L. Thompson discussed the issue around June 18, 2025. Judge Thompson appears to have now granted IYO's temporary restraining order.
Although no details have been announced, Openai has removed all mentions of IO in its promotional material, including a nine-minute video interview with IO and Altman.
“This page is temporarily down due to a court order following a trademark complaint from IYO regarding the use of the name “IO,” the page announced on the Openai website, which previously hosted the video. “We disagree with the complaint and are reviewing the options.”
Little is known about the planned IVE and Altman devices, except that they will become AI-based devices. In a TED talk in April 2024, IYO CEO Jason Rugolo revealed and used his company's first device, the IYO One.
IYO CEO Jason Rugolo wears his company's inconspicuous AI Earbud – Image credit: Iyo/Ted Talks
It reminds me of a failed humane AI pin, but the proven model aimed at wearing it on the ear is like a very large, prominent earphone. Rugolo says Iyo One represents a “new kind of natural language computing” that relies on “real, engaging conversations.”
The IYO One is available for pre-order for $99 and the ship is scheduled for August 2025.
