How FOMO Became a Fixture

11 May 2023

How FOMO Became a Fixture

The ubiquitous term now has a stamp of approval from the US government.

Re: Patrick McGinnis (MBA 2004)

Topics: Education-Campus Life Business Ventures-Business Startups Business Ventures-Business Plan Invention-Trademarks

It's rare for a day to go by when the term FOMO (short for "fear of missing out") isn't shared on TV, social media, or any other media we consume. But where did FOMO come from? In this interview, Patrick McGinnis (MBA 2004), shares the genesis of the phrase, the impact it's had on him both personally and professionally, and why he just trademarked it.

You were able to trademark the term "FOMO" recently. What motivated you to take this step?
"I coined the term FOMO in a May 2004 humor column in the HARBUS, and I hadn't realized that my word had lived an exciting life of its own. Then, just days before my HBS reunion in 2014, a reporter from Boston Magazine hunted me down. He was writing an article on the history of FOMO and traced it back to me. We met for an interview while I was in Boston, and the rest is history. His article went viral, and it changed my life. I've gone on to write a book, do a TED Talk, and create a podcast, all about how FOMO shapes decision-making in business and life.

"Given the power of the term, I knew that I had to do something to ensure that my connection to FOMO was unambiguous, particularly in the areas where I use it in my work. Plus, to be completely honest, I was also motivated by the fact that whenever someone finds out I coined FOMO, their question is always the same: ‘Do you have it trademarked?' That question has always given me terrible FOMO! So, I did something about it."

Can you take us through the process of getting FOMO trademarked—the first steps, the challenges, etc.?
"When that fateful Boston Magazine article came out, I already knew something about the trademarking process. I had been working to secure a trademark for the name of my first book, The 10% Entrepreneur, with Suzann Moskowitz of the Moskowitz Firm. Since Suzann is commercial, creative, and way more organized than me, she was instrumental in guiding me through this process.

"When I called Suzann for advice on what to do with FOMO, I knew it might be tricky since my original article was not a standard use for USPTO purposes.

"Securing the trademark was a long process requiring strategic thinking, argumentation, multiple filings, and a bit of flexibility. Protecting a word like FOMO, which had become ubiquitous, required a thoughtful approach. Plus, to obtain a registration, you need to prove that the mark is a source identifier in connection with specific goods and/or services. Given that I have been using FOMO in speeches, media, and informative materials, the application focused on education and entertainment.

"After a long wait (over four years) and ample evidence that I was indeed using the mark commercially, BOOM, we got it. And we are not stopping there. We have applications out for some other things – like NFTs. (I had NFT FOMO last year when they were trending.)"

Did you do anything fun to celebrate the trademark?
"In addition to FOMO, I have also successfully protected related phrases, like FOBO ("fear of a better option") and FOMO Sapiens (the name of my podcast) over the last few years, so when I got the good news, I put on a FOMO Sapiens cap and did a little happy dance."

Where do you plan to display the trademark document?
"I framed it for my FOMO gallery wall. It hangs next to the Boston Magazine article, the HARBUS article, and an antique plate that depicts Aldrich Hall. The plate was a gift from a friend whose father studied at HBS in the 1950s."

Now that you have the trademark, what's next? Will it change any of the work you are doing with the podcast? Open up any new avenues for your work?
"I've been working on several FOMO-related projects in the media and tech spaces. The beauty of this term is that after 20 years it remains relevant, perhaps even more than ever, so I hope to build on this IP for years to come."

Featured Alumni

Patrick McGinnis

MBA 2004

Featured Alumni

Patrick McGinnis

MBA 2004

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