OpenAI Filing Hints At Coming GPT-5 Language Model

OpenAI offered its first hint that it was developing GPT-5: It filed for U.S. trademark protection for the large language model.

Records show that OpenAI made the filing July 18 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The application is for a standard character mark of GPT-5 – meaning it covers just the term, not any particular font style, size or color.

The filing describes GPT-5 as software – including “computer software for creating and generating text, downloadable computer programs, software for developing and implementing artificial neural networks,” among a variety of other uses.

The filing also extends to Software as a service, text-to-speech translation and AI research and development services.

Credit: USPTO

While OpenAI has applied for protection, it's not a certainty when or if there will be a GPT-5. Trademark applications can remain active for no more than four years when using all available extensions.

The presumed predecessor to GPT-5 would be GPT-4, OpenAI’s current flagship model, which was released in March. The model dwarves the previous GPT-3 model and has been used to power ChatGPT Plus, the $20-a-month subscription service.

However, OpenAI has not disclosed the underlying workings of the model, keeping its size and power a closely guarded business secret, much to the dismay of the development community and concern to some in the research space, who fear it cannot be truly evaluated.

OpenAI wants to trademark GPT

OpenAI has a history with trademarks. Earlier this year, it emerged that the Microsoft-backed company filed for trademark protection for ‘GPT.’

The acronym, which stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is the name OpenAI affixes to the vast majority of its AI models.

The move raised eyebrows, as a host of open source models use GPT in their names. There’s Auto-GPT and Cerebras-GPT. And even corporate-developed models such as Salesforce's Einstein GPT exist, though that was made in a direct partnership with OpenAI.

The ‘GPT’ trademark application was filed last December but initially was rejected after OpenAI failed to pay the relevant fees. The office has since accepted the application, and it’s now being reviewed by an examiner.

Stay updated. Subscribe to the AI Business newsletter.