Fox is trying to trademark the "OK, boomer" meme for a new TV show

20 November 2019, 16:23

By Nicky Idika

Fox has reportedly filed a trademark application in order to use the popular meme phrase "ok, boomer" for a reality competition.

"Ok Boomer" is a phrase you've no doubt seen everywhere in the past few weeks. The tongue-in-cheek comeback has been used as a retort to problematic behaviours and opinions expressed by older adults belonging to the "baby boomer" generation. It's a favourite insult of millennials and has, bafflingly, been labelled a 'slur' by some really pissed off old people. Now, even more bafflingly, FOX is reportedly trying to trademark the phrase "OK BOOMER" in the hopes of turning it into a television programme.

READ MORE: Pete Buttigieg's Panic! At The Disco "high hopes" dance is being roasted online

In the most Boomer move, perhaps ever, FOX reportedly filed a trademark application on 11 November, stating that they intend to use the phrase for a planned reality/competition/comedy game show. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben broke down the situation on Twitter.

CNN notes that multiple entities have filed trademark applications for the phrase.

Gerber later told CNN that "in all likelihood, the USPTO will deny all of these applications because OK BOOMER has become a 'widely used message'".

Truthfully, we're not even sure what an "OK BOOMER" TV show would entail. Probably some real chaotic boomer energy to be sure.

This isn't the first time we've seen folks trying to capitalise on the success of a meme through trademark attempts. Last month, the popularity of the Kylie Jenner rise and shine meme prompted the 22-year-old beauty mogul to file a trademark application for "RIIISE AND SHIIINNEE".

She was roundly criticised for the move and later forced to deny sending a cease and desist letter to a family-owned business.

There's something to be said here about the wisdom of trying to draw out memes which have notoriously short shelf lives.