Matthew McConaughey isn’t taking chances with artificial intelligence copying his iconic voice and mannerisms.
His legal team just secured eight federal trademarks that protect everything from his famous “Alright, alright, alright” catchphrase to specific video clips of him on a porch.
This unprecedented move could change how celebrities defend themselves against AI deepfakes and unauthorized replications.
And it’s happening right as AI voice cloning technology becomes scarily accurate.
Trademarking a Voice: McConaughey’s Legal Strategy
Entertainment law firm Yorn Levine, representing McConaughey, obtained approval from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for eight distinct trademarks over recent months. These protections cover audio recordings, video clips, and specific phrases uniquely associated with McConaughey’s public persona.
The centerpiece? A sound mark on McConaughey’s legendary line from the 1993 film “Dazed and Confused.”
The trademark registration gets incredibly specific about how McConaughey delivers his signature phrase. According to official documents, the mark “consists of a man saying ‘ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT’, wherein the first syllable of the first two words is at a lower pitch than the second syllable, and the first syllable of the last word is at a higher pitch than the second syllable.”
That level of detail matters when trying to prevent AI systems from mimicking distinctive vocal patterns.
Beyond the Catchphrase: What Else Is Protected
McConaughey’s trademarks extend far beyond his most famous movie quote. Additional protections include:
- A 7-second video clip showing him standing on a porch
- A 3-second clip of him sitting in front of a Christmas tree
- Audio of him saying “Just keep livin’, right?” followed by strategic pauses and ending with “What are we gonna do?”
All eight trademarks register to J.K. Livin Brands Inc., the Sherman Oaks-based parent company of McConaughey’s Just Keep Livin apparel business.
The actor’s lawyers filed for trademark protection on “alright, alright, alright” back in December 2023. USPTO approval came exactly two years later, in December 2025.
Why Traditional Laws Aren’t Enough
State rights-of-publicity laws already exist to protect celebrities from unauthorized commercial use of their image or likeness. So why pursue federal trademarks?
Federal jurisdiction makes all the difference.
Yorn Levine’s novel trademark strategy gives McConaughey standing to sue in U.S. federal courts rather than navigating multiple state-level cases. More importantly, these trademarks could help prevent AI-generated content that doesn’t explicitly sell products but still misappropriates his identity.
I don’t know what a court will say in the end. But we have to at least test this.
That’s Kevin Yorn, partner and co-founder at Yorn Levine, explaining the experimental nature of this legal approach. Yorn represents some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Zoe Saldaña and Scarlett Johansson—two of the highest box-office grossing actors ever.
Jonathan Pollack, of-counsel attorney at Yorn Levine, emphasized the broader implications for fighting AI misuse.
In a world where we’re watching everybody scramble to figure out what to do about AI misuse, we have a tool now to stop someone in their tracks or take them to federal court.
The Ironic Twist: McConaughey Embraces AI Technology
Here’s where things get interesting. While aggressively protecting against unauthorized AI use, McConaughey simultaneously embraces legitimate AI applications.
He recently partnered with AI voice company ElevenLabs to create Spanish-language versions of his newsletter “Lyrics of Livin'” using synthesized versions of his voice. McConaughey holds an investment stake in ElevenLabs, as does Kevin Yorn through venture-capital firm BroadLight Capital, where Yorn serves as co-founder and partner.
The trademarks don’t just prevent misuse—they enable controlled use. By establishing clear ownership over his vocal characteristics and mannerisms, McConaughey can selectively license AI-generated content on his terms.
What This Means for Other Celebrities
McConaughey’s trademark strategy could establish precedent for how entertainers protect themselves in the AI era. Traditional publicity rights weren’t designed for technology that can clone voices and faces with frightening accuracy.
Federal trademarks offer stronger, more comprehensive protection.
Expect other A-list celebrities to follow McConaughey’s lead. Yorn Levine’s client roster alone suggests we’ll see similar trademark applications from major Hollywood figures soon.
The legal landscape remains untested. Courts haven’t yet ruled on whether these specific trademark strategies will hold up against AI-generated content challenges. But as Yorn noted, someone needs to test these waters.
The Bigger Picture: AI and Celebrity Identity
AI voice cloning technology advances faster than legal frameworks can adapt. Companies now offer services that generate convincing voice replicas from just seconds of audio samples.
Deepfake videos become more sophisticated daily, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish real celebrity content from AI-generated fakes.
McConaughey’s proactive approach addresses this growing threat before major damage occurs. Rather than waiting for unauthorized AI replications to proliferate, his legal team established clear boundaries and enforcement mechanisms.
The trademarks also create potential revenue streams. Celebrities can license their AI-replicated voices and likenesses for legitimate commercial purposes while maintaining control over how that technology gets used.
Whether courts ultimately uphold these trademark protections against AI misuse remains uncertain. But McConaughey’s lawyers aren’t waiting around to find out what happens when deepfake technology runs unchecked.
They’re taking the fight to federal court—alright, alright, alright.