Matthew McConaughey trademarks ‘All right, all right, all right’ catchphrase in bid to beat AI fakes | Movies

Matthew McConaughey is getting out in front of the AI fakes problem by taking legal steps to protect his own identity. The Oscar-winning actor has officially trademarked his image, his voice, and even his famous "All right, all right, all right" catchphrase from *Dazed and Confused*.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office just approved eight different applications for McConaughey. According to *The Wall Street Journal*, these trademarks aren't just for the audio of his signature line. They also cover specific visuals, like clips of him on a porch or sitting by a tree, to stop AI from using his likeness without his say-so. "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," McConaughey stated, making his intentions crystal clear.

This move comes as Hollywood grapples with the explosion of AI-generated actors. It's a growing concern—back in 2023, Tom Hanks had to warn fans about an ad for a dental plan that was using his image without permission. The issue goes beyond just faces, too. Digital body scanning is becoming standard practice, raising fears about data misuse and prompting actress Olivia Williams to push for a "nudity rider" to prevent it. Things got even more intense recently with the public outcry over X’s Grok generative AI creating non-consensual sexualized images.

But McConaughey's stance isn't a simple crusade against technology. He's also an investor in the AI space, putting money into a company called ElevenLabs, which is valued at around $6.6 billion. He even struck a deal with the company to create an official AI version of his voice, which he's using to translate his "Lyrics of Livin'" newsletter into Spanish.

His legal team emphasizes that these trademarks are a forward-thinking strategy for broad protection, not just a response to a specific incident. They're essentially building a legal wall before a major fight breaks out. As one of his lawyers, Jonathan Pollack, put it, "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.”