#10: Johnny Carson and the Protection of a Signature Phrase (Legal dispute: 1988)
Johnny Carson successfully defended one of the less obvious aspects of celebrity identity: a catchphrase strongly associated with his public persona. When a portable toilet company attempted to capitalize on his famous expression without authorization, Carson argued that the slogan functioned as a valuable commercial identifier. The courts agreed that distinctive phrases closely connected to an entertainer could receive legal protection against unauthorized commercial exploitation. The decision reinforced the broader principle that identity extends beyond physical appearance alone. It gave celebrities additional legal tools for protecting their brands.
