Why Matthew McConaughey is trademarking his signature 'Alright, alright, alright' phrase

Matthew McConaughey is trying to get ahead of artificial intelligence with some legal maneuvering.

In the past few months, the actor has had eight trademark applications approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in an attempt to stop people using AI or AI apps from using his voice or likeness without his permission, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

"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,” McConaughey said in an email to WSJ.

One of his attorneys, Jonathan Pollack, added in a statement to the outlet, "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.”

One of those trademarks includes his signature catchphrase, “Alright, alright, alright,” originally uttered by his character in the cult classic “Dazed and Confused.” The phrase has since become a routine part of McConaughey’s vocab at events and awards shows.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the application to trademark the phrase was filed in 2023 and approved in 2025.

McConaughey’s lawyers told the WSJ that they aren’t aware of his likeness being used or manipulated by AI, but he wouldn’t be the first actor to face the issue in the past couple of years.

Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson have had scams perpetrated using their voices and likenesses, as well as Kelly Clarkson.

Follow us @tnndentertainement on Instagram, alright, alright, alright.