Registered trademarks help you protect the identifying markers of your brand, such as logos, brand names, and slogans. But what if your business is being a personality? There are a number of celebrities who have built a brand around their own persona. So it comes as no surprise that many of them have attempted to trademark certain phrases they use often so as to maintain their brand.
Many have successfully obtained trademark registration for these famous catchphrases. Here are just a few examples.
“Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!”
Michael Buffer has been a famous boxing and wrestling announcer since the 1980s. It was around that time that he began to shout out the enthusiastic, “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!” The catchphrase became a hit, and you might hear it called out for fun in an imitation of Buffer’s voice. But in the professional wrestling sphere, only Buffer legally has rights to use “Let’s get ready to rumble.”
He obtained trademark registration in 1992 so that his signature phrase didn’t become a generic trend among announcers. He’s also earned more than $400 million in revenue from licensing that trademark!
“That’s Hot”
In the 2000s, Paris Hilton rose to fame as a fashion forward, often dramatic heiress in the reality TV show The Simple Life. While her life might have seemed like a breeze in the show, in actuality Hilton takes care with the curation of her brand. One example of this is the trademarked catchphrase “that’s hot.” In The Simple Life, Hilton notably says “that’s hot” whenever she finds something interesting or funny. It became such a part of her pop cultural identity that she registered the trademark for it in 2007.
When Hallmark released a card showing a caricature of Hilton as a waitress saying “that’s hot,” Hilton actually sued them for trademark infringement. In 2010, she won her case.
“Fear the Brow”
Professional NBA player Anthony Davis is as well known for his unibrow as he is for his stellar high jumps and slam dunks. Even before he joined the NBA, he had begun to use the catchphrases “Fear the Brow” as a part of his brand. When he finally joined the NBA in 2012, he trademarked the phrase, along with “Raise the Brow.” The phrase is now something he can use exclusively in merch, media spots, and more.
“Bam!”
When most people think of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, they can hear him exclaiming “Bam!” usually after successfully cooking a dish. It is “Bam!” that gave him his claim to fame, and it’s no wonder that “Bam!” has become so central to his brand. He was able to successfully obtain trademark registration for “Bam!” by adding an exclamation point at the end, thus making it distinct from other trademarks.When you have a catchphrase, a slogan, or something else identifying about your brand that you want to stand out, Garcia-Zamor is here to help you obtain trademark registration. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation.
