Can I sell a slogan?

Asked by: Samanta Weissnat Sr.  |  Last update: March 25, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (24 votes)

Yes, you can sell a slogan by transferring the rights, often after trademarking it to establish ownership, but it requires a strong, distinctive phrase, a clear contract, and ideally involves an intellectual property lawyer to navigate trademark law and ensure the slogan isn't already in use, protecting both you and the buyer. Selling involves finding a company, presenting a business case, and formalizing the sale with an NDA and contract to prevent unauthorized use before payment.

How much can you sell a slogan for?

After being in the domain business for many years I was curious about slogans and if there was money in them. I was also curious about how to come up with a slogan, where to sell them, and if it was worth it. You can earn anywhere between $5 to $999 per slogan!

Can a slogan be copyrighted?

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

Is the slogan "Just do it" copyrighted?

Is the phrase JUST DO IT trademarked? Yes, the phrase JUST DO IT is trademarked. Nike trademarked this distinctive phrase in 1995 and currently owns several trademark registrations for it.

Is it worth trademarking a slogan?

If you are using a catch phrase, tag line, or sales line with your goods or services, then yes, it is almost always worth it to trademark that phrase if it is available.

Slogans Sell Sell Sell

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How much does it cost to copyright a slogan?

If you're trademarking a slogan based on intent to use, you'll have to submit a Statement of Use along with a filing fee of $100 per class. Many of these fees are contingent on using the online electronic filing system. This is by far the easiest and quickest way to trademark a slogan for your brand.

How do I protect my slogan?

How best to protect your company slogan is a business decision. If nobody else in your market area in your field of work is using that slogan, you can claim it as a trademark. If you print it on your cards, be sure to use the TM symbol beside it to show the public that you are claiming it as a trademark.

How do I know if a slogan is trademarked?

To check if a slogan is trademarked, search the USPTO TESS database for federal registrations, use general search engines like Google to find common usage, and consider international databases like WIPO for global use, always checking for similar-sounding or related marks for your specific goods/services, as a simple name match isn't enough. 

Why is Nike's slogan "Just do it"?

Nike's "Just Do It" slogan means taking action, overcoming hesitation, and pursuing personal goals with determination, embodying self-empowerment and bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement, encouraging everyone from elite athletes to everyday people to start, even when it's difficult. The phrase promotes self-responsibility and connecting with one's inner drive, a powerful message reinforced by campaigns that celebrate individual triumphs and resilience.
 

How do I register a slogan?

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.

Can you brand a slogan?

Most people think of trademarks as just logos and brand names, but they can go much further. Slogans, colors, and even sounds can be legally protected—if they meet the right criteria.

How much does it cost to trademark?

A US trademark filing costs a base of $350 per class of goods/services with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), but total costs vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for simple filings to thousands with attorney fees, handling office actions, or international filings, plus ongoing renewal fees after 5-10 years. Extra USPTO fees apply for using free-form text, specific application types (TEAS Plus), or if the application needs more work (Office Actions). 

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.

What is the 70 20 10 rule of marketing?

The 70/20/10 rule in marketing is a content strategy framework dividing efforts into three parts: 70% for core, value-driven content (building brand/education), 20% for curated/shared content from others (engagement/community), and 10% for promotional/experimental content (sales/testing). It balances brand building, audience engagement, and direct selling to prevent audience fatigue, build authority, and foster loyalty by keeping content diverse and relevant, according to sources like Vanquish Media Group and Affinitiv. 

Can you get paid for giving an idea to a company?

The most common arrangement is a licensing agreement, where the company pays you royalties to use your idea.

What is a selling slogan?

A sales slogan is an easy-to-remember statement that companies use in advertisements. Effective advertising slogans are short, catchy, and well-suited promotions for products or campaigns. Finding the right words can be hard, especially in high-stakes professional environments like sales.

Is Nike's slogan trademarked?

Just Do It is a trademark of shoe company Nike. The tagline was coined in 1988 at an advertising agency meeting.

How much did Carolyn Davidson get paid for the Nike logo?

Graphic designer Carolyn Davidson was paid just $35 in 1971 for creating the iconic Nike "Swoosh" logo as a freelance student project, working about 17.5 hours at $2 an hour; however, Nike later recognized her contribution with a gold Swoosh ring and 500 shares of Nike stock, which were worth millions by 2024.
 

Did Nike hire non-binary furry?

Yes, Nike featured acclaimed non-binary esports player Dominique “SonicFox” McLean, who identifies as a furry and wears a fox costume, in their recent Nike and Martine Rose collaboration for their gaming division campaign, highlighting their success as a celebrated gamer and representing inclusivity in sports and gaming.
 

Do I need a lawyer for a trademark?

No, a U.S.-based applicant isn't legally required to use an attorney to file a trademark, but it's strongly recommended because the process is complex, and mistakes can lead to rejection or weak protection. An attorney handles crucial tasks like trademark clearance searches, class selection, responding to Office Actions, and ensuring proper legal arguments, significantly increasing the chances of approval and providing better overall protection, though foreign applicants must use a U.S.-licensed lawyer. 

Can I patent an idea?

Technically, you can't patent an idea for a business – for example, if you have a unique idea for an online store or a new chain of themed restaurants. However, you may be able to protect and patent a method of doing business – if it meets very specific criteria and requirements.

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)

What is the most powerful slogan?

Top 15 best company slogans and taglines

  • Levi's: “Quality never goes out of style.” ...
  • Netflix: “See what's next.” ...
  • MasterCard: “There are some things money can't buy. ...
  • Red Bull: “Red Bull gives you wings.” ...
  • IMAX: “Think big.” ...
  • Lay's: “Betcha can't eat just one.” ...
  • Airbnb: “Belong anywhere.” ...
  • Ferrari: “We are the competition.”

Can someone steal my trademark?

The trut is, even if you have registered all of your trademarks, there is no guarantee that they can't be stolen. In this article, we will take a look at how trademark theft happens and show you how you can decide on the best possible enforcement and protection strategy.

Does your slogan go on your logo?

It's easy to determine if your logo needs a tagline. Simply try a tagline and if it helps clarify what you do or adds personality, including a slogan with your logo may be a good fit. If your brand name already communicates your purpose, you may not need one.