Taylor Swift has filed a trademark application for her voice and image amid continued concerns in the entertainment world about the rise of artificial intelligence and the potential for misuse of evolving technology.
The singer’s company, TAS Rights Management, filed three applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office on Friday (April 24). One is an image of Swift performing during the Ellas tour, and the other two are sound trademarks covering the phrases “Hey, I’m Taylor Swift” and “Hey, I’m Taylor.” (These filings were first brought to our attention by intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben.)
A representative for Swift did not respond to a request for comment.
Swift is following in the footsteps of actor Matthew McConaughey, who filed eight similar trademarks in the past few months to protect his charm and image as a famous Texan. McConaughey’s lawyers filed an application in which the Oscar winner says his iconic line, “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay!” From the 1993 comedy stunned and confusedand looks at the camera.
In many states, celebrities enjoy protection under “right of publicity” laws that prevent unauthorized use of their name or likeness. As Gerben pointed out in a blog post about Swift’s filing, a trademark filing could “offer an additional layer of protection,” especially if a strong legal framework to address misuse of AI does not yet exist. (The NO FAKES Act, which aims to prevent people’s voice and physical similarities from being exploited by AI, was introduced in Congress several years ago but is still in committee.)
As one of music’s biggest stars with an international fan base, Swift has already fought against the more sinister uses of AI. In early 2024, after explicit AI-generated images of Swift began circulating, social media platform X temporarily blocked users from searching for her name on the site.
That same year, Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image suggesting Swift was endorsing his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, prompting her to address the use of the image without her consent.
“This was a real reminder of the fear of AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation,” Swift wrote on Instagram when she endorsed Kamala Harris for president. “As a result, we’ve come to the conclusion that we, as voters, need more transparency about our actual plans for this election. The easiest way to fight misinformation is to know the truth.”
