THE SHORT VERSION / Is Detty December trademarked?
Ownership of the phrase “Detty December” is contested. Mr Eazi, who popularised it around 2016, is reported to have trademarked it, and in 2025 Lagos creative agency Livespot360 said it had trademarked the phrase in 2019. Everyday use of the phrase to describe the season is common. Commercial branding is where trademark rules matter.
- Popularised by
- Mr Eazi, about 2016
- Reported claim
- Mr Eazi
- 2025 announcement
- Livespot360 (2019 filing)
- Status
- Contested
- Everyday use
- Widespread
- Branding use
- Get legal advice
The short version
- Mr Eazi is widely credited with coining or popularising "Detty December", using it for his Lagos concert in 2016. Reports say he later moved to trademark the phrase.
- Livespot360, a Nigerian creative agency behind Livespot X Festival, announced in 2025 that it had trademarked "Detty December" in 2019.
- The result: competing public claims, and a lot of confusion for brands and promoters.
Sources: Wikipedia: Detty December (Nigeria)), citing BellaNaija and The Guardian Nigeria.
Timeline of the Detty December name
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Calabar Carnival launches as "Africa's biggest street party" |
| About 2016 | Mr Eazi uses "Detty December" for his Lagos concert and on social media |
| Late 2010s | Detty Rave grows in Accra, and the phrase spreads |
| 2019 | Ghana's Year of Return turns the season global. Livespot360 later says it filed a trademark this year |
| 2025 | Livespot360 publicly announces its trademark |
| 2026 | Detty December Fest runs 13 days in Lagos, and "detty december trademark" is a breakout search |
What does a trademark on "Detty December" mean?
A trademark protects a name when it's used as a brand for goods or services, such as an event name, merchandise or a product line, in the classes and countries where it's registered. It does not normally stop people using a common phrase to describe something, like talking about the festive season.
In practice:
- Talking about Detty December in articles, posts and conversation is everyday descriptive use.
- Naming an event or product "Detty December" is where trademark conflicts can arise.
- Different countries have separate registries, so a mark in Nigeria doesn't automatically apply in Ghana, the UK or the US.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you're planning an event, product or brand using the phrase, talk to a trademark lawyer in the relevant country.
Why the trademark question matters now
Detty December has become a major economic season. December spending by returning diaspora Nigerians is significant enough that the World Bank has pointed to remittances during this period. Festivals, brands, banks and telecoms all want to use the name. That value is exactly why ownership is being contested.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the Detty December trademark?
It is contested. Mr Eazi is reported to have trademarked the phrase he popularised, and Livespot360 announced in 2025 that it trademarked Detty December in 2019.
Who started Detty December?
The phrase is widely credited to Mr Eazi, who used it for his Lagos concert in 2016. December festivities in Nigeria and Ghana existed long before the name.
Can I use Detty December in my event name?
Using the phrase as a brand name could conflict with registered trademarks. Get advice from a trademark lawyer in the country where you'll operate before naming an event or product.
