Matthew McConaughey Moves to Protect His Famous Catchphrase from AI
Matthew McConaughey has trademarked his iconic catchphrase to prevent unauthorized AI use of his voice and likeness, filing multiple applications to safeguard his identity.
Matthew McConaughey has taken legal steps to secure his signature phrase, “All right, all right, all right,” aiming to block artificial intelligence from using his voice or image without his approval. The actor, whose career took off after delivering the line in the 1993 film Dazed and Confused, has filed eight separate trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office. These filings are designed to shield his voice and likeness from being replicated by apps or AI tools without his explicit consent.
McConaughey’s catchphrase, which he also used during his 2014 Oscar acceptance speech for Dallas Buyers Club, has become inseparable from his public persona. By trademarking it, he hopes to set a clear boundary in an era where technology can easily mimic celebrities.
“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,”
he explained.
“We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world.”
Legal Uncertainty and Industry Response
Despite these efforts, McConaughey’s attorney, Kevin Yorn, acknowledged the legal gray area surrounding such trademarks.
“I don’t know what a court will say in the end. But we have to at least test this,”
Yorn admitted, highlighting the uncertainty of how courts might interpret these protections in the context of AI-generated content.
McConaughey is not just defending his own interests—he’s also invested in the future of voice technology. As a backer of ElevenLabs, a company developing an ‘Iconic Voice Marketplace,’ he’s part of a movement to allow high-profile figures to license their voices for AI use, but only with their permission. The platform is working with a range of actors, both living and deceased, to ensure that their voices are used ethically and with proper consent.
Innovation and Consent in the AI Era
Michael Caine, another participant in the ElevenLabs project, praised the company’s approach, saying it is
“helping others,”
and that
“ElevenLabs is at the very forefront of technology, using innovation not to replace humanity, but to celebrate it.”
This sentiment reflects a growing awareness in the entertainment industry about the need for clear rules and respect for personal identity as AI becomes more advanced.
Recently, McConaughey announced plans to release an audio version of his Lyrics of Livin’ newsletter in Spanish through ElevenLabs, further demonstrating his commitment to controlling how his voice is used and shared. As technology continues to evolve, his actions may set a precedent for how celebrities protect their identities in the digital age.