OpenAI and Jony Ive’s ‘io’ Brand Disappears Amid Trademark Dispute, But AI Hardware Partnership Continues

Branding Scrubbed After Trademark Complaint

OpenAI, in collaboration with renowned former Apple designer Jony Ive, has rapidly removed all references to their joint hardware venture, ‘io,’ from its official website and social media channels. This dramatic branding shift closely follows OpenAI's recent announcement of its $6.5 billion acquisition, signaling the tech giant’s commitment to developing dedicated AI hardware solutions.

Trademark Lawsuit Forces Rebranding

According to a statement provided to The Verge, OpenAI confirms that the strategic partnership and hardware development project with Jony Ive remains on track. However, legal action from Iyo, a hearing device startup spun out of Google’s secretive research branch (the ‘moonshot factory’), has prompted OpenAI to temporarily erase all public mention of the ‘io’ brand. The dispute centers on alleged trademark infringement relating to the use of the ‘io’ name.

Announcement Content and Media Yanked Offline

With the legal process underway, OpenAI has taken down the original blog announcement and a nine-minute video where Jony Ive and CEO Sam Altman discussed the vision for seamless AI hardware integration. The original partnership announcement touted the io team's mission to create inspiring, empowering, and enabling technology by working closely with OpenAI’s research, engineering, and product teams in San Francisco.

AI Hardware: Future Features, Advantages, and Use Cases

While specific details about the forthcoming AI hardware remain under wraps, industry insiders anticipate advanced features focused on AI-driven user experiences, smart integration with OpenAI’s ecosystem, and next-generation design—a hallmark of Jony Ive. This positions OpenAI to compete directly with established tech giants by offering powerful, user-friendly AI devices tailored for both professionals and everyday users.

Market Impact and Ongoing Developments

The rebranding does not affect the substance of the deal or the ongoing development of innovative AI hardware. OpenAI spokesperson Kayla Wood clarified that the removal is a legally mandated, temporary measure: "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."
Despite branding complications, the collaboration between OpenAI and Jony Ive signals a major move in the global AI hardware market, promising products that could redefine the intersection of artificial intelligence, design, and everyday technology.