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Matthew McConaughey is trademarking his iconic catchphrase "Alright, alright, alright" in a bid to stop unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) use
The 56-year-old actor first used the phrase in the 1993 film Dazed and Confused
According to a document filed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) seen by PEOPLE, an application to trademark "Alright, alright, alright" was filed in December 2023, and it was approved in December 2025.
Matthew McConaugheyis trademarkinghis famous catchphrase "Alright, alright, alright"in a bid to stop unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) use.
It's been over 30 years since McConaughey, 56, first uttered the iconic phrase on screen as David Wooderson in 1993's cult classicDazed and Confused.
The three words have followed him ever since, and he's now doing everything he can to stop those wanting to use AI to replicate the phrase.
McConaughey has had eight trademark applications approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) over the past several months in an attempt to stop AI apps or users from simulating theMagic Mikeactor's voice or likeness without his permission, theWall Street Journalreported, citing his attorneys.
According to adocument filed by the USPTOseen by PEOPLE, an application to trademark "Alright, alright, alright" was filed in December 2023, and it was granted approval in December 2025.
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The trademarks include a seven-second clip of McConaughey standing on a porch, as well as a three-second clip of the actor sitting in front of a Christmas tree, theWSJreported, citing the approved applications.
There's also audio of McConaughey saying "Alright, alright, alright," as well as audio of him saying, "Just keep livin', right?" before he paused and said, "I mean," pausing again, before adding, "What are are we gonna do?" according toVariety.
The Oscar winner told theWSJin an email, "My team and I want to know that when my voice or likeness is ever used, it's because I approved and signed off on it. We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world."
Jonathan Pollack, one of McConaughey's attorneys at law firm Yorn Levine, said, "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," per theWSJ.
State rights-of-publicity laws are already in place to protect celebrities from having their image or likeness stolen to sell products, the outlet noted.
McConaughey's lawyers are hoping that by taking this step, the actor will help stop AI misuse, given that there's a threat of a lawsuit in federal courts.
"I don't know what a court will say in the end. But we have to at least test this," another of McConaughey's lawyers, Kevin Yorn, said, per theWSJ.
McConaughey's rep didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment. PEOPLE has also reached out to the actor's legal team.
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Many celebrities have spoken out about AI in recent years, withTom Hanksissuinga "public service announcement"from his official Instagram account in August 2024, warning fans not to be "fooled" by ads using his likeness without permission.
A video shared to YouTube in September depictingTaylor Swiftspeaking outin support of an Eras Tour attendee also went viral, nabbing millions of views on the platform — but it didn't actually come from the pop superstar.
Posted to the YouTube channel Behind the Fame, the video — titled "Taylor Swift Protects Fan from Hateful Comments" — opened with an apparently real shot of Swift speaking.
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Many viewers in the comments section seemed to think the video was real, but the YouTube description confirmed it was made using AI.
According to the description, the video utilized an "AI-generated voice used for storytelling inspired by Taylor Swift's tone. This video is a creative work and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Taylor Swift," read the description.
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