Taylor Swift has filed three new trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a move that legal analysts say is designed to fortify her legal defenses against the growing threat of artificial intelligence misuse. The filings, submitted on behalf of Swift's TAS Rights Management, include two sound marks covering her voice and a visual trademark of a distinctive stage photograph.
The sound trademarks cover the phrases “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor,” each capturing her vocal signature in a way that could block unauthorized AI-generated replicas. The visual trademark depicts Swift holding a pink guitar, wearing a multicolored iridescent bodysuit with silver boots, standing on a pink stage in front of a multicolored microphone with purple lights. All three applications have been approved and are awaiting assignment to an examining attorney.
Intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben, who first spotted the filings, theorized in a blog post that the trademarks are “specifically designed to protect Taylor from threats posed by artificial intelligence.” He noted that while “Right of Publicity” laws already offer some protection against unauthorized use of a celebrity’s likeness for commercial purposes, federal trademark registrations provide an additional layer of legal recourse, especially as AI tools become more sophisticated at cloning voices and images.
Swift has been a high-profile target of AI-generated abuse. Pornographic deepfake images of the singer circulated online, making her one of the most prominent victims of a problem tech platforms have struggled to contain. In another incident, a fake endorsement of former President Donald Trump during his 2024 campaign was shared by the candidate himself, who presented it as genuine. Such episodes underscore the urgency for public figures to secure their intellectual property against increasingly realistic forgeries.
The move aligns with a broader trend among celebrities seeking to preempt AI-related exploitation. In January, actor Matthew McConaughey secured eight trademarks from the USPTO, including a sound mark for his catchphrase “Alright, alright, alright.” Attorneys for McConaughey told Variety the filings aimed to protect his voice and likeness from unauthorized AI use while also preserving opportunities for legitimate AI collaborations. McConaughey later struck a deal with voice-cloning company ElevenLabs to license his voice for AI applications.
Swift’s filings come amid mounting concerns among lawmakers and privacy advocates about the implications of AI for personal autonomy and security. As AI agents reshape web privacy, experts warn that without robust legal frameworks, individuals—especially public figures—face unprecedented risks. The music industry, in particular, has been grappling with the rise of AI-generated songs that mimic artists’ voices without consent, prompting calls for stronger federal protections.
Swift’s legal team, led by Rebecca Liebowitz of Venable, did not respond to requests for comment. But the filings signal a proactive stance as the singer continues to dominate the music industry—she recently topped Spotify’s all-time streaming charts. With her brand and voice now legally fortified, Swift is setting a precedent for how high-profile artists can navigate the digital frontier.
As AI threats evolve, the gap between existing law and emerging technology grows. Lawmakers remain largely unaware of the imminent economic and security risks posed by AI, leaving celebrities and corporations to fend for themselves. Swift’s trademark filings are a calculated step in that direction—one that could reshape how intellectual property law adapts to the age of synthetic media.
