Infringing Conduct Must Cease Immediately; TRO Granted Until October

SAN FRANCISCO, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal judge in the Northern District of California granted a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) late Friday requested by IYO, Inc. against Open AI, Sam Altman, Sir Jony Ive and IO Products, Inc., ordering these defendants to immediately stop infringing on IYO's rights, including using the "IO" name. 

Judge Trina Thompson noted in her order that the defendants must instantly cease "… using the IYO mark, and any mark confusingly similar thereto, including the IO mark in connection with the marketing or sale of related products."

IYO first pitched Sam Altman's personal investment firm and separately pitched Jony Ive's design firm (to partner on design) in early 2022, at which time they both declined to invest or collaborate with IYO, expressing a lack of interest in developing AI consumer hardware. It was only months later that they secretly began to create their own screenless natural language consumer hardware company which they decided to, amazingly, call "IO". 

"We will aggressively protect our brand and our significant investments in technological innovation," said Jason Rugolo, CEO of IYO. "This TRO is a testament to the strength of IYO's case, and fuels IYO's determination to ensure justice prevails. IYO will not roll over and let Sam and Jony trample on our rights, no matter how rich and famous they are."

The court's decision underscores the grave nature of the defendants' willful violations, and represents a significant victory for IYO in its fight against aggressive corporate tactics. 

The company remains steadfast in its commitment to pursue all available legal remedies, including a permanent injunction and payment of damages. IYO anticipates a swift and favorable resolution that will uphold the rights of innovators and prevent future unethical behavior by large companies seeking to trample on and exploit smaller companies' valuable work and assets.

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SOURCE IYO, Inc.