Creators inside OpenAI’s Sora community were told to stop using the word “cameo” mere hours after a federal judge extended a temporary ban on the “Cameo” brand while considering a broader injunction. OpenAI immediately updated Sora’s interface, scrubbed documentation, and pushed new tooltip text that refers to “character” slots and “reusable character” libraries.

The case, still under seal, stems from a talent-tech startup that argues OpenAI’s branding confuses users into thinking Sora’s AI stand-ins are tied to their marketplace. The judge hasn’t ruled on the merits yet, but keeping the naming freeze in place signals the court believes the plaintiff has a likelihood of success or that consumers could be misled if OpenAI kept marketing cameo-style AI actors.

Immediate changes for Sora directors

• Delete "cameo" from prompts, file names, and treatments. OpenAI’s moderators said they will reject uploads that use the old term while the order is active.
• Refer to actors as "characters" or "reusable characters." The UI already mirrors that language, so copying the exact phrasing avoids auto-flags.
• Refresh template docs. Producers who share pitch decks or prompt packs with clients should reissue them to avoid referencing a prohibited trademark.

On the same call, policy leads described a separate—but related—update: Sora’s Model Spec now inherits OpenAI’s Under-18 (U18) Principles. That means any project featuring teens (real or fictional) must spell out age-appropriate goals, keep tone PG, and avoid “wish fulfillment” violence or romance. ChatGPT, GPT-4o mini, and other consumer products are getting the same language.

Safety guardrails now mirror U18 rules

The new guidance tells creators to explicitly document how a teen character is mentored, supervised, or otherwise protected inside the narrative. OpenAI representatives said it’s no longer enough to tag a video as PG; prompts must emphasise safe outcomes (“an after-school robotics club wins a grant”) instead of ambiguous conflict. Sora reviewers can now issue takedowns if teen-centered content doesn’t explain the educational or real-world purpose.

For studios working with schools or youth nonprofits, that means drafting compliance blurbs alongside the creative brief. “We want directors summarizing how the story serves teens, not just what the visuals look like,” one policy manager told creators in a private Tips channel.

What to watch next

OpenAI has until mid-January to convince the judge that “Cameo” should return, but insiders doubt the company wants that fight. Expect the “character” vocabulary to stick, especially if the plaintiff pursues damages.

Meanwhile, Sora’s production collective @thesorahouse says it will publish fresh prompt templates that already comply with the rename and the youth safety checklist. If you distribute prompt kits, audit them today so collaborators aren’t caught with a frozen upload queue.