Celebrities Who Tried to Turn Names, Phrases, and Catchphrases Into Trademarks
A memorable catchphrase can become one of a celebrity’s greatest assets, extending far beyond television screens, music charts, or sports arenas. Many stars have attempted to legally protect their signature words, names, or gestures to prevent unauthorized merchandise and strengthen their personal brands.
While some trademark applications became massive success stories, others faced legal challenges or were ultimately rejected. Here are seven celebrities who tried to trademark the phrases and expressions that helped define their careers.
Rachel Zoe Trademarked “I Die”
Fashion stylist Rachel Zoe became a household name through The Rachel Zoe Project, where her signature catchphrase, “I die,” became one of her most recognizable trademarks. She frequently used the expression to react to anything she found especially fabulous, shocking, or amusing.
Recognizing its popularity, Zoe successfully trademarked the phrase to protect its commercial use. Today, “I die” remains closely associated with her fashion empire and distinctive personality.
Kylie Jenner Faced a Trademark Challenge
Kylie Jenner attempted to trademark her first name as her business empire continued to expand. However, the application faced legal opposition because Australian singer Kylie Minogue already had established rights connected to the name.
The dispute ultimately prevented Jenner from securing exclusive ownership of “Kylie.” The case demonstrated how trademark law often becomes complicated when public figures share similar names.
Paris Hilton Made “That’s Hot” Her Own
Paris Hilton transformed the phrase “That’s hot” into one of the defining catchphrases of early reality television. Popularized during The Simple Life, the expression quickly became synonymous with Hilton’s celebrity persona.
Recognizing its commercial value, she successfully trademarked the phrase in 2006. The move allowed Hilton to protect one of the most recognizable expressions from her career.
50 Cent Secured His Famous Stage Name
Rapper Curtis Jackson ensured that his iconic stage name, 50 Cent, received trademark protection as his music career flourished. The trademark covered a wide range of commercial products, including clothing, recordings, and branded merchandise.
By protecting his professional identity, 50 Cent strengthened his business ventures beyond the music industry. His trademark became an important part of building a lasting entertainment brand.
Michael Buffer Built an Empire With One Phrase
Legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer turned “Let’s get ready to rumble!” into one of the most profitable catchphrases in sports entertainment. He officially trademarked the famous introduction in 1992 after realizing its enormous commercial potential.
Licensing the phrase for sporting events, commercials, films, and video games reportedly generated hundreds of millions of dollars over the years. It remains one of the most successful celebrity trademarks ever created.
Tim Tebow Trademarked “Tebowing”
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow became known for kneeling on one knee with his head resting on a clenched fist before games. The pose quickly went viral, inspiring thousands of fans to imitate it around the world.
As the gesture gained popularity, Tebow secured a trademark for the term “Tebowing” in 2012. Protecting the phrase helped preserve ownership of one of sports’ most recognizable celebrations.
Taylor Swift Protected Her Hit Lyrics
Taylor Swift expanded her brand by trademarking several memorable phrases from her blockbuster album 1989. Expressions including “This sick beat,” “Party like it’s 1989,” and “‘Cause we never go out of style” became legally protected.
The trademarks were designed to prevent unauthorized merchandise from using her lyrics without permission. Swift’s strategy highlighted how artists can safeguard not only their music but also the memorable phrases that become part of popular culture.
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