Insurance co. sues Oprah over ‘aha moment’

Mutual of Omaha and the talk-show host each believe the phrase is theirs

Chris Pizzello / AP	Who owns the phrase "aha moment"? Is it Oprah or Mutual of Omaha?

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updated 6:47 p.m. ET April 24, 2009

OMAHA, Neb. - Insurance company Mutual of Omaha is suing Oprah Winfrey and her production company over use of the phrase “aha moment.”

Mutual said in a statement Friday it has been granted preliminary approval of a federal trademark for the slogan “official sponsor of the aha moment,” which became part of Mutual’s national advertising in February.

But the Omaha-based company says Winfrey and Harpo Productions Inc. is claiming rights to the phrase “aha moment.”

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Winfrey’s company demanded Mutual stop using the phrase to promote its insurance and financial products. So Mutual filed its lawsuit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Omaha.

Harpo spokeswoman Lisa Halliday says the company hopes to reach an amicable resolution with Mutual.