Lizzo has managed to trademark her now-iconic phrase, “100% that bitch”, according to Rolling Stone. The trademark certification has been a long time coming for the American pop musician, who first attempted to claim the trademark in 2019.
On that occasion, Lizzo’s application was deemed too general for any official legal protections to apply, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ruling that it was simply a “motivational phrase” that had links to “female empowerment”.
Lizzo – ‘Truth Hurts’
However, the decision has been overturned by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, who granted the trademark this week and deemed “100% That Bitch” a phrase inextricably linked to the US singer.
“Consumers encountering ‘100% That Bitch’ on the specific types of clothing identified in the application ― even when offered by third parties ― associate the term with Lizzo and her music,” the board said in their ruling.
The phrase “100% that bitch” initially appeared in Lizzo’s 2017 track ‘Truth Hurts’, which gained widespread global success upon its re-release as a single in 2019. The lyrics in question stirred up controversy, however, with singer Mina Lioness claiming she came up with the phrase in 2017.
Lioness asserted that Lizzo’s opening line – “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that bitch” – was similar to a Tweet she posted in February 2017, which read, “I did a DNA test and found out I’m 100% that bitch”. Lizzo claimed the line was inspired by an Instagram meme that inspired the creative process, though Lioness was later credited as a co-writer on ‘Truth Hurts’.
Further Reading
Watch Lizzo Cover Stevie Wonder’s ‘Someday at Christmas’
Lizzo Changes Lyrics To New Track In Response To Criticism
Watch Lizzo’s Funky Rendition Of BTS’ ‘Butter For BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge
