In the suit Thursday, Perplexity Solved Solutions Inc. said the artificial intelligence company has infringed its registered trademark "with full knowledge of Perplexity's prior rights."
The infringement has caused confusion for consumers, especially since both companies provide "highly similar software-related goods and services," the complaint said.
"The hard-earned goodwill and reputation that Perplexity has built over the years have suffered — and are still now at risk — because defendant refuses to respect the law or play fair," the complaint said.
The software company obtained its trademark registration from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in November 2022, according to the complaint. Its use of the trademark is "well established," as the company maintains a presence online through its website and social media accounts, it said.
The artificial intelligence company has pending trademark applications with the USPTO, Perplexity Solved Solutions said. The company has contacted Perplexity AI and has asked it to cease its alleged trademark infringement, but the artificial intelligence company has continued using it, according to the complaint.
This is not the first time Perplexity AI has been accused of infringement, Perplexity Solved Solutions noted. In October, publishers of The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post sued Perplexity AI, accusing it of copying huge amounts of copyrighted material.
"Defendant's complete disregard for Perplexity's trademark rights is consistent with defendant's pattern and practice of copying and/or unfairly capitalizing on others' creativity and hard work," the complaint said.
Perplexity Solved Solutions asked the court to, among other things, block Perplexity AI from using the name "Perplexity."
Perplexity AI isn't the first artificial intelligence company to end up in court over its name. OpenAI sued Guy Ravine, saying his company, Open Artificial Intelligence, has not used its "Open AI" mark in commerce as long as OpenAI has been in business, and that OpenAI is the senior user of the disputed mark.
That case went up to the Ninth Circuit, which ultimately rejected Ravine's request to vacate an injunction blocking him from using the mark while the case is pending. Contrary to OpenAI's claims, he had argued that he is the mark's senior holder.
Representatives for the companies did not respond to requests for comment.
Perplexity Solved Solutions is represented by Eleanor M. Lackman and Marissa B. Lewis of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP.
Counsel information for Perplexity AI was not immediately available on Friday.
The case is Perplexity Solved Solutions Inc. v. Perplexity AI Inc., case number 3:25-cv-00989, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
--Additional reporting by Dorothy Atkins, Adam Lidgett and Ivan Moreno. Editing by Peter Rozovsky.
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