In general, one cannot copyright short phrases or sentences. These are able to be trademarked. However, one CAN copyright the presentation of a sentence/phrase.

In general, one cannot copyright short phrases or sentences. These are able to be trademarked. However, one CAN copyright the presentation of a sentence/phrase. For example, if it were to be in a painting, or a photo, the photo/painting would be able to be copyrighted. However, that does nothing to stop someone from copying the sentence. The difference is that you can copyright presentation, but you can't copyright an idea. Once someone strings together enough words, however, you can't copy it either. That is, after all, why we don't photocopy novels when we want to read them.