Can catchphrases be copyrighted?

Asked by: Rebecca Walter  |  Last update: April 3, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (13 votes)

No, you generally cannot copyright a slogan, as copyright law protects creative works, not short phrases or names; instead, slogans are protected as trademarks, which identify the source of goods or services, like Nike's "Just Do It," requiring registration with the USPTO to gain legal rights and prevent competitors from using confusingly similar phrases.

Can a catchphrase be copyrighted?

Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks.

Can a common phrase be copyrighted?

Common phrases or proverbs are typically not copyrighted. However, specific expressions, especially from popular media, might be protected under copyright law. There are several tools and databases available that can help you check if a phrase is copyrighted.

Can a catchy phrase be trademarked?

Yes, you can trademark a phrase, tagline, or catchphrase for your brand by registering it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). To qualify, your phrase must be distinctive, non-generic, and used in connection with commercial goods or services.

What phrases are not copyrighted?

The Copyright Office's regulations provide that “words and short phrases such as names, titles, and slogans” are not subject to copyright because they contain a de minimis amount of authorship.

Can you Copyright a phrase?

44 related questions found

What quotes can I legally use?

You DON'T need permission:

To use quotes from famous people as long as they are used in a brief and positive or neutral way to support your independent work - and with prop- er attribution. To quote or reference the title or author of a work such as books, poems, movies, TV shows or songs.

What word did Kim Kardashian try to trademark?

Kim Kardashian is again brewing up a social media storm – this time over her application to trade mark the word “Kimono” for her new range of shapewear.

How do I trademark a catchphrase?

6 Steps to Trademark a Phrase

  1. Step 1 – Come Up With an Original and Unique Phrase. ...
  2. Step 2 – Make Sure Nobody Else is Using the Phrase. ...
  3. Step 3 – Choose the Appropriate Class and Filing-Bases For the Trademark. ...
  4. Step 4 – Consult With an Attorney. ...
  5. Step 5 – Submit a Trademark Application. ...
  6. Step 6 – Wait.

How can I tell if a phrase is trademarked?

To check if a phrase is trademarked, use the USPTO's TESS database, searching for exact matches and similar variations in the "Word and/or Design Mark Search (Free Form)" to find registered marks and pending applications, remembering that usage creates rights, so also check state databases and conduct general web searches for common law uses before consulting a professional for clearance. 

What phrases can you not trademark?

What Words Cannot Be Trademarked?

  • Generic Terms. (Example: “Coffee” for a coffee shop) ...
  • Descriptive Terms Without Distinctiveness. (Example: “Best Miami Plumber”) ...
  • Geographically Descriptive Names. (Example: “Orlando Roofing Services”) ...
  • Surnames (Last Names) (Example: “Johnson Plumbing”) ...
  • Common Phrases or Industry Terms.

Is a catchphrase a trademark?

Catch phrases can be trademarked if they are used as a brand identifier for a product or service. The words themselves cannot be trademarked on their own unless they are used within commerce.

Can idioms be copyrighted?

Yes, you can trademark an idiom, provided you utilize that idiom as the name or slogan associated with your goods or services. Idioms, often considered common phrases or everyday speech, can become distinctive phrases when used in commerce. For example, “BREAK A LEG!” is a registered trademark for restaurant services.

How do I check if a quote is copyrighted?

Search the Copyright Public Catalog: Use the U.S. Copyright Office's online catalog to identify if the quote appears in a registered work. Search the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS): This USPTO tool helps you locate trademarks registered for specific phrases.

Can you copyright a common phrase?

First, copyright will not protect an idea. Phrases conveying an idea are typically expressed in a limited number of ways and, therefore, are not subject to copyright protection. Second, phrases are considered as common idioms of the English language and are therefore free to all.

Is it worth trademarking a phrase?

Yes, it's almost always worth trademarking a distinctive phrase if it's central to your brand, as it grants exclusive rights, prevents consumer confusion, offers legal protection against infringers, and builds significant brand equity, although it involves costs for filing, maintenance, and enforcement. While enforcement can be challenging for small businesses, trademarking provides essential ownership and the ability to stop competitors from using your hard-earned brand identity. 

How much is it to trademark a catchphrase?

The cost to trademark a phrase is between from $250 to $350 per trademark class. This is the cost to submit your trademark application to the USPTO. The easiest way to submit an application to register your trademark is online, through the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS).

What cannot be trademarked?

The following things cannot be registered as trademarks: Deceptive Words, Names, Phrases, Slogans (they are misleading) Merely Descriptive Words (e.g., Best ice cream, Red car) Merely Decorative Features (they don't identify source)

How to check slogan copyright?

Start with a comprehensive trademark search using online tools, search engines, and trademark databases to identify any similar or identical slogans already in use. The Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) is a valuable resource for searching registered trademarks.

Is up up and away trademarked?

The various trademarks associated with Superman, such as his costume, his logo, and all the distinctive phrases associated with him – “up, up and away,” “faster than a speeding bullet,” and all of the other phrases DC has carefully trademarked – remain property of DC until and unless they become generic.

How to check if a phrase is trademarked?

To check if a phrase is trademarked, use the USPTO's TESS database, searching for exact matches and similar variations in the "Word and/or Design Mark Search (Free Form)" to find registered marks and pending applications, remembering that usage creates rights, so also check state databases and conduct general web searches for common law uses before consulting a professional for clearance. 

Is it hard to trademark a phrase?

Trademarking a common phrase can be challenging, as trademark law generally aims to protect distinctive and unique marks that can differentiate goods or services in the marketplace. Common phrases that are widely used and lack distinctiveness may be considered too generic to qualify for trademark protection.

What phrases have been trademarked?

Here are seven examples of individuals who were more successful in turning their catchphrase into a trademark -- and in some cases, a hefty profit.

  • "Three-peat" ...
  • "Let's Get Ready to Rumble!" ...
  • "Let's Roll" ...
  • "That's Hot" ...
  • "Bam!" ...
  • "Goodnight my sweet Anna baby" ...
  • "They are who we thought they were"

Is Taylor Swift's name trademarked?

Yes, Taylor Swift has a massive trademark portfolio protecting her name, albums (like Midnights, 1989), iconic lyrics ("This Sick Beat," "The Old Taylor Can't Come to the Phone Right Now"), tour names, and even her cats (Meredith, Olivia, Benjamin) and fan terms ("Swifties," "Swiftmas") for various products and services. Her proactive strategy covers a wide range of merchandise and commercial uses to maintain brand control.
 

Who is richer, Kim or Kylie?

Kim Kardashian is significantly richer than Kylie Jenner, with Kim's net worth estimated around $1.9 billion thanks to her SKIMS brand, compared to Kylie's roughly $670-$710 million from Kylie Cosmetics and other ventures, making Kim the wealthiest of the Kardashian-Jenner siblings as of early 2026.
 

What words did Kylie Jenner trademark?

Kylie sings "rise and shine" to daughter Stormi, the internet explodes. Now she's trademarked it. Read our editor's guess as to why here.