5 celebs who tried trademarking their catchphrases, names or dance moves

Piece by: MILLICENT ATIENO

15 March 2023

• In simple terms, trademarks are a legal way to ensure other people can't profit from your original idea or phrase.

A trademark is a symbol, word, or word legally registered or established by use as representing a company or product.

In simple terms, trademarks are a legal way to ensure other people can't profit from your original idea or phrase.

Here is a list of Kenyans who have tried or did trademark their moves, names, and catchphrases;

1. Azziad Nasenya

TikTok sensation, radio presenter, and social media Influencer, Azziad Nasenya, in 2021 trademarked her name and a logo bearing the first letter of her first name.

She applied for registration with the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KiPi), a government parastatal that administers Intellectual Property rights.

She registered her name and logo which is valid for 10 years after which she can opt to renew the trademark.

Azziad added that the name and logo will be used in clothing, footwear, and headgear.

2. Moya David

Moya David is a dancer and one of the most followed TikToker in Kenya with over 3.8 million followers on TikTok.

The dancer revealed that he had to take a patent for his dances because, for a long time, he has been seeing people misusing it and others copying it without even realizing that he is the founder of that type of dance.

He added that it is his creativity and people sometimes don't give him the recognition he deserves.

"Anyone who tries to imitate my style the law will take its course. I have patented all the dance styles that I do." The dancer said.

After backlash from netizens, Moya explained that he is not preventing people from dancing but just owning the rights to his creation.

3. Francis Atwoli

Atwoli first uttered the popular phrase "Alaa! Alaa " during an interview with Jeff Koinange on the JKL show in May 2021, Later, in December 2021, the trade unionist declared his intention to pursue exclusive rights for the phrase.

The phrase was commonly used by disk jockeys in their mixes.

Atwoli’s personal assistant disclosed that even deejays have to seek his authority before using it in their work noting that Atwoli would use the phrases in various products, including a clothesline and sportswear products.

4. Stevo Simple Boy

Stevo simple Boy trademarked "Freshi Barida" last year.

The viral slogan originated from an interview where Simple Boy, was discussing Kenya’s upcoming general elections.

It was later used in his song of the same name.

Simple Boy’s management, Men in Business (MIB), announced that the rapper legally owns the exclusive rights to the slogan after trademarking revealing that anyone who tries to use the slogan for commercial purposes without notice will lead to legal action.