As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the entertainment industry, Matthew McConaughey is taking definitive steps to protect his intellectual property. The Texas native has successfully trademarked several of his most recognizable phrases and vocal patterns, establishing a legal framework to prevent unauthorized AI exploitation.
A New Legal Perimeter
According to the Wall Street Journal, McConaughey’s legal team filed eight trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, all of which have been approved. These filings include: The iconic phrase “Alright, alright, alright,” alongside audio of the actor saying, “Just keep livin’, right?” followed by the contemplative, “I mean… what are we gonna do?” The trademarks also include visual clips of the actor’s likeness and specific expressions.
The Strategy: Ownership and Consent
McConaughey’s move is a proactive effort to define how his digital identity is used. In an interview with the WSJ on January 13, he emphasized that the goal is to ensure “consent and attribution” remain the standard in an AI-driven world.
“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 said. “We want to create a clear perimeter around ownership.”
While he is guarding against misuse, McConaughey is also exploring the technology’s potential. As an investor in the AI voice company ElevenLabs, he has licensed an AI version of his voice to narrate his Lyrics of Livin’ newsletter in Spanish, allowing him to reach a broader audience while maintaining creative control.
Historical Context: The Birth of a Catchphrase
The assets McConaughey is now protecting were originally improvised during the summer of 1992. At the time, he was a senior Radio-Television-Film student at the University of Texas at Austin. After a chance encounter with casting director Don Phillips, he was cast as David Wooderson in Richard Linklater’s cult-classic, coming-of-age film Dazed and Confused.
Though Wooderson was initially a minor character, McConaughey’s performance led Linklater to expand the role. The phrase “Alright, alright, alright” was inspired by a live Jim Morrison recording McConaughey had been listening to in his car.