Manan Desai, a popular stand-up comedian from India, has obtained a sound recording copyright for a phrase he constantly utters in his comedy acts through the years.

The phrase “Jati rehje,” meaning “leave at once” in Gujarati, which is the language in Gujarat, has achieved a level of fame even outside India. Desai, co-founder of the live entertainment venture The Comedy Factory, delivers the catchphrase all the time in his performances in his unique way that people began imitating him. Not only do they say “Jati rehje,” they mouth the phrase in Desai’s own style and tone as well. The phrase has even found its way on a car number plate in the U.S. Hence, the decision to secure a sound recording copyright.

But first, what is a sound recording copyright?

It is separate from a musical work copyright. Sound recording copyright protects specific performances and recordings of sound. Often, these are derivative works incorporating musical and lyrical compositions and other underlying compositions.

On the other hand, a musical work copyright pertains to the original musical composition which includes melodies and notations.

“By registering the sound recording, Desai has taken steps to prevent others from imitating the catchphrase in the same manner and tone for commercial purposes,” said Aditi Verma Thakur, senior partner at Ediplis Counsels in Bengaluru.

The protection is limited in scope, however, since the catchphrase “Jati rehje” does not qualify for copyright as a literary work. The latter covers original underlying content.

Nevertheless, Thakur considers Desai’s move to register a distinctive element of his fictional persona, the unique way he utters his catchphrase, as a sound recording copyright a strategic step.   

“This move is notable as it reflects the evolving application of copyright law to protect elements of performance and personality. In an era where digital content, including AI-generated imitations, frequently infringes upon the core traits of public personalities and brands, such proactive protection is increasingly relevant. By securing copyright over the specific delivery of his catchphrase, Desai has potentially set a precedent for protecting key aspects of personality rights, particularly against unauthorized commercial exploitation or mimicry in digital formats,” said Thakur.

- Espie Angelica A. de Leon