Is the ‘Very Demure’ Trademark in Crisis?

CREATOR NEWSLETTER


By now, we’ve all heard about the “very demure, very mindful” creator, Jools Lebron. The TikToker pioneered the massively viral, tongue-in-cheek signature catchphrase, hitting on a polite, cutesy, “modest” feminine diva aesthetic (a satirical antithetical to our messy, neon-green brat summer.)

Lebron’s newfound fame has landed her some high-profile gigs, like an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live with Rupaul, CBS’s morning show, events with makeup mogul Patrick Ta, and brand deals with companies like Lyft and Verizon. However, her success has apparently come with a hiccup: someone else is trying to steal her rightfully deserved trademark.

On August 23, TMZ broke the news that a man named Jefferson Bates applied to trademark Lebron’s viral phrase. Bates allegedly has a history of trying to claim trending phrases that he did not invent. In a now-deleted TikTok, Lebron has admitted that she felt she “dropped the ball” by not securing the trademark sooner.

But, Lebron may still be able to secure the trademark she deserves. To find out how, check out the story below. (You can also read this nifty guide on the differences between trademarks and copyrights for more context.)

Luckily, it seems like Bates doesn’t have a real case for winning the trademark. We all know who the phrase really belongs to. Plus, how can I say this demurely..? Money can’t buy class. 💅


PERSONALITIES

Is the ‘Very Demure’ Trademark in Crisis?

jools lebron in car with caption "How to be demure at work"

Build Your Own Cosmetics Business With Blanka

Launching any kind of product is hard, launching a cosmetics line can seem like the hardest. But Blanka was started by a fellow creator to help other creators source, produce, and distribute cruelty-free, high quality vegan cosmetics under your own custom brand label, with no minimum order size and drop shipping available. Sign up now for your first 14 days free.


IN THE BIZ


TIPS & TRICKS

Whether protecting your content or your brand, you need to know the basics

By Patricia Grisafi, Passionfruit Contributor


CULTURE

The Opera Gets TikTok-ified

A short-form opera will premiere at the Teatro Morlacchi on September 13. 

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor


JOB BOARD


YOUTUBE MADE ME DO IT

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • Creators, Please Don’t Only Hire Your Friends

    Creators, Please Don’t Only Hire Your Friends

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #214 | Feb. 22, 2024 – Grace Stanley, Deputy Editor PLATFORMS YouTube Is America’s #1 Streamer. What Happens Next? Hollywood is having trouble distinguishing between “creators” and “creatives.” By Lon Harris, Passionfruit Contributor → READ THE FULL STORY SPONSORED Udemy’s flash sale ends at midnight PT tonight! Get steep discounts across their entire…

  • Sorry Not Sorry: The Mislabeled Trope of the YouTube Apology

    Sorry Not Sorry: The Mislabeled Trope of the YouTube Apology

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #213 | February 20, 2024 THE COMMENTS SECTION “Y’all, we need to put together a YouTuber apology/response video bingo.” – Drew Grant, Editorial Director CULTURE The Streamer Awards Made Me Feel Too Old for Twitch There were so many faces and moments that I didn’t recognize at all. By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit…

  • Is This the New IMDb for Creators?

    Is This the New IMDb for Creators?

    CREATOR NEWSLETTER Issue #212 | February 15, 2024 THE COMMENTS SECTION “The way we work has changed. It’s become much more creative and collaborative. At Mosaic we’re convinced that a more effective method could be developed for individuals to document project-based work and highlight their achievements, with authenticity at its core.” – Grace Stanley, Deputy…