Taylor Swift has filed a trademark application for her voice and image amid growing concerns in the music world about the rise of AI.
As per rolling stonethe pop superstar’s company, TAS Rights Management, filed three applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last Friday (April 24).
One is an image of Swift performing during the “Ellas Tour,” and the other two are audio trademarks for 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.)
Swift is not the first notable person to exercise this trademark.
She follows Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey, who has filed eight similar trademarks in the past few months to protect the famous Texan’s speech and image. McConaughey’s lawyer filed the application with the Oscar winner saying his famous line, “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay!” From the 1993 Richard Linklater comedy film stunned and confusedand looks at the camera.
In many U.S. states, celebrities enjoy protection under “right of publicity” laws that prevent unauthorized use of their name or likeness.
Swift, one of the world’s biggest music stars, has already had to worry about unsavory uses of AI.
Back in 2024, Twitter/X temporarily blocked users from searching for Swift’s name on its platform after explicit AI-generated images of her began circulating.
That same year, US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image suggesting Swift was endorsing his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, prompting Swift to publicly address the use of non-consensual images.
“It really reminded me of my fears about AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation,” she wrote on Instagram, endorsing Trump’s presidential rival Kamala Harris. “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.”
