OpenAI fails to block Singapore startup's GemGPT trademark

OpenAI has failed to stop Singapore startup Porolis Technologies from registering "GemGPT", after an intellectual property tribunal found that sharing the letters "GPT" was not enough to establish a likelihood of consumer confusion.

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) dismissed all five grounds of opposition against Porolis' trademark application on 28 October, allowing it to proceed to registration. OpenAI was also ordered to pay SG$10,000 in costs.

The dispute centred on whether Singapore consumers would associate "GPT" specifically with OpenAI, or recognise it as terminology linked to artificial intelligence technology.

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Porolis, part of the BP de Silva group, develops AI-powered technology to assess gemstone grades, authenticity and treatment. It told the tribunal that "Gem" referred to its focus on gemstones, while "GPT" described its generative AI models, which use transformer architecture.

The startup also maintained that its technology was developed in-house and did not use OpenAI's models.

OpenAI argued that GemGPT conflicted with its existing trademarks, including CHATGPT and several GPT-numbered marks such as GPT-3 and GPT-4. However, the tribunal noted that OpenAI did not hold an earlier standalone trademark registration for "GPT".

Principal assistant registrar Gabriel Ong acknowledged ChatGPT's rapid adoption in Singapore, with OpenAI's website recording almost 11 million monthly visits from the country by May 2023.

However, he found that recognition of ChatGPT did not automatically mean consumers viewed GPT on its own as identifying OpenAI's products and services. The decision also noted that GPT was already used as technical terminology among AI researchers before ChatGPT's public launch.

In assessing the competing names, Ong found that CHATGPT and GemGPT were similar only to a marginal degree. He said the overall impression was that GemGPT related to an unrelated AI or technology service for gemstones.

OpenAI also alleged that Porolis had acted in bad faith by seeking to benefit from its reputation, given that the application was filed less than six months after ChatGPT launched.

While Ong accepted that Porolis knew or must have known about OpenAI, he found that this alone did not establish bad faith.

He also clarified that the ruling did not mean GPT could never be established as distinctive of OpenAI, noting that different evidence at a future date could lead to a different outcome.

OpenAI established its presence in Singapore in October 2024, previously announcing plans to set up a local office that would serve as its Asia Pacific hub. The move came as the company looked to strengthen relationships with regional governments, businesses and institutions, while supporting the growing adoption of ChatGPT and its other AI tools.

Singapore was also among the company's highest per-capita markets for ChatGPT usage at the time.

Since then, OpenAI has stepped up its investment in the local AI ecosystem. In May 2026, it committed more than SG$300 million to Singapore through a partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, including plans to establish its first Applied AI Lab outside the US.

The initiative will support AI deployment across sectors such as public services, finance and healthcare, while creating more than 200 technical roles and expanding AI training and support for businesses, startups and SMEs.

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