OpenAI loses trademark dispute at EU court

> The EUIPO found that the word "open" would be understood by the relevant public as meaning freely accessible, while the combination with "AI" (artificial intelligence) would be interpreted as referring to products based on openly accessible artificial intelligence.

> for certain software and information technology goods and services, the term is purely descriptive and therefore lacks the distinctiveness required for trademark protection

edit: add the latter statement

Re: OpenAI loses trademark dispute at EU court

#7

Post by miroljub » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 3:40 PM UTC

They should just rename it to ClosedAI.

It would be more honest to their customers and better show who they are and what they stand for.

Re: OpenAI loses trademark dispute at EU court

#8

Post by Chu4eeno » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 3:41 PM UTC

zkmon wrote: post #2

Someone finally asks some sensible questions, about hijacking of the term "open".

I thought you were joking, but that seemingly was the argument.

Re: OpenAI loses trademark dispute at EU court

#9

Post by TazeTSchnitzel » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 3:41 PM UTC

jmole wrote: post #4

This seems like a bad decision to me that will ultimately harm consumers, if anyone can launch a product and say it’s made by “OpenAI”.

OpenAI would probably still have some kind of claim against a company that did that.

Re: OpenAI loses trademark dispute at EU court

#10

Post by joshuat » Wed, Jul 15, 2026, 3:41 PM UTC

This feels like a slight misstep that could result in consumer harm. The name is incredibly vague, without doubt, but to claim "OpenAI" doesn't evoke a very specific company at this point in the minds of consumers seems myopic.