Though the program is often called "OM," this use has been discouraged as the result of a trademark-related lawsuit. An agreement was reached that prohibits the use of the acronym "OM". As a result, participants are encouraged not to use the designation "OM" and all official works use the acronym "OotM" instead. The use of the acronym "OM" may result in a penalty, depending upon the rules of the particular regional or state Odyssey organization in question.
When founded, the program was known as "Olympics of the Mind." In the late 1980s, the International Olympic Committee enforced violations of its trademarked "Olympic" name, and forced the program to change its name. The new name selected was "Odyssey of the Mind" to fit the "OM" acronym in use at the time.