Matthew McConaughey Trademarks Voice to Fight AI Deepfakes

McConaughey Says 'Alright, Alright, Alright' to AI Protection With New Trademarks

The Oscar winner is taking proactive steps to safeguard his voice and image by filing multiple applications with the USPTO to prevent unauthorized AI deepfakes.

Sofia Chen

Mar 19, 2026, 4:02 PM PT · 2 min read

Matthew McConaughey — Photo: AMFM STUDIOS LLC / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

McConaughey filed USPTO trademarks for his voice and signature catchphrases.
The filings specifically target unauthorized artificial intelligence and deepfake usage.
The actor is an investor in the voice modeling startup Resemble AI.
Registration include specific audio and video clips to protect his digital likeness.
The move seeks to establish licensing control over synthetic media versions of himself.

Matthew McConaughey is drawing a line in the sand against unauthorized artificial intelligence. The Oscar-winning actor has filed multiple trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect his likeness, voice, and his signature catchphrase, "Alright, alright, alright." These filings aim to prevent AI developers from using his unique persona without his explicit permission.

This novel legal strategy comes as the entertainment industry grapples with the rise of deepfakes and synthetic media. According to reports from PCMag and The Straits Times, McConaughey is registering specific audio and video clips to establish a clear legal perimeter around his brand. By securing these trademarks, the actor gains a stronger foundation to pursue legal action if a company uses a digital clone of his voice for commercials, films, or social media content.

While McConaughey is fighting for control, he isn't entirely against the technology. He is an active investor in ElevenLabs, a voice modeling company that focuses on high-quality synthetic speech. This indicates that the star is looking to manage and license his digital likeness rather than ban it entirely. The move follows a year of intense labor negotiations where SAG-AFTRA members fought for similar protections against AI exploitation in Hollywood.