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⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
BookTok is officially in its fighting era because a small brand just trademarked "Hot Girls Read." People are losing it over the gatekeeping, especially since the phrase belongs to the community and isn't something one company should own!
The girls that get it, get it: the book community is officially in its fighting era. Everyone’s timelines are currently exploding because a small business called Allie Rose Co. just revealed they successfully registered the trademark for “Hot Girls Read” across categories like stationery and clothing. This isn’t just some random phrase; it’s basically the unofficial anthem for anyone who loves reading unapologetically.
The history of the phrase
While the trademark is new, the vibe has been living rent-free in our heads since at least 2020. From Lena Dunham mentioning hot girls read confessional poetry to various Instagram book clubs using the term years ago, this wasn’t some original invention by a single brand. It turned into a whole mood—a way to prove that being a bookworm and being iconic are not mutually exclusive. For many women, reclaiming the “hot girl” label was a way to flip the script on the old idea that being a reader is somehow nerdy or unappealing.
💫 It turned into a whole mood—a way to prove that being a bookworm and being iconic are not mutually exclusive.
The backlash is getting deep because people feel like this move actively steals joy from the community. There is also a much larger conversation happening about how white women often benefit from cultural movements, like Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hot Girl Summer” era, only to try and gatekeep the language later. It feels less like supporting a small business and more like trying to own a piece of a culture that was built by everyone.
A pattern of trademark drama
The bookish world is currently in its “copyright era,” and honestly, it’s giving greed. We’ve already seen attempts to file trademarks for “book boyfriend” and “blind date with a book.” Here’s the tea on the legal side: while Allie Rose Co. can technically stop other brands from selling shirts with that phrase, they can’t stop us from saying it in a caption or a TikTok. But by claiming the commercial rights, they’re still effectively colonizing the slang we use to bond. When you start trying to own common language, you aren’t protecting a brand; you’re just making it harder for everyone else to play in the sandbox.
If the very community you’re trying to sell to is telling you that this move is a total vibe kill, maybe it’s time to listen. Let’s keep the slang free and the vibes immaculate.
Do you think common bookish phrases should stay free for everyone to use?
❓ People Also Ask
Why is the Allie Rose Co. trademark causing controversy on BookTok?
The trademark for Hot Girls Read is sparking outrage because many feel it steals joy from the reading community by commercializing a shared cultural phrase. Critics argue that the brand is attempting to own a piece of a culture built by everyone rather than supporting it. There are also concerns regarding how white women sometimes adopt cultural movements, such as Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer, only to attempt to gatekeep or trademark the language later.
What can people still do despite the new trademark on Hot Girls Read?
People are still free to use the phrase Hot Girls Read in their social media captions or TikTok videos. While Allie Rose Co. holds the legal rights to prevent other brands from selling merchandise like clothing and stationery with that specific wording, they cannot control personal speech. The trademark applies specifically to commercial goods within certain categories, meaning individuals can continue using the slang for digital expression without facing legal consequences from the brand.
How did the phrase Hot Girls Read become popular before being trademarked?
The phrase became a widespread cultural mood through various social media trends and celebrity mentions long before it was registered as a trademark. For example, Lena Dunham once mentioned that hot girls read confessional poetry, helping to cement the concept in popular culture. Over time, Instagram book clubs adopted the term to help readers reclaim their identity, proving that being a dedicated bookworm can be both iconic and stylish rather than just nerdy.
What other bookish terms have been involved in trademark disputes?
The book community has seen several instances of trademark drama involving common slang used by readers. Beyond the recent controversy surrounding Hot Girls Read, there have been attempts to file trademarks for popular phrases like book boyfriend and blind date with a book. These actions have led to accusations of greed within the industry, as many creators feel that attempting to claim ownership over common language effectively colonizes the shared vocabulary used by the reading community.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: Cosmopolitan