Taylor Swift files new trademarks to guard identity rights amid AI concerns

Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications for two voice clips and a specific stage image. The move shows how artistes are turning to trademark law as AI fakes test control over identity.

In Short

• Taylor Swift files trademarks for her voice and image in the US.
• Applications include sound marks and a specific visual image.
• Similar to Matthew McConaughey's earlier trademark strategy.

In a move that signals how seriously artists are beginning to treat AI misuse, pop singer Taylor Swift has taken a fresh legal step to protect her identity. The singer has filed trademark applications in the United States to secure rights over her voice and image.

TAYLOR SWIFT TRADEMARKS HER VOICE, IMAGE

According to filings made on April 24 with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Swift’s company, TAS Rights Management, submitted three trademark applications. Two of these relate to sound marks tied to her voice – “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor”.

The third covers a specific visual image: a photograph of Swift holding a pink guitar, dressed in an iridescent bodysuit with silver boots, standing on a pink stage against a multi-coloured backdrop.

The filings were first spotted by intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben, who noted that the move reflects a wider anxiety within the entertainment industry – that artificial intelligence could strip artists of control over their voice and likeness.

WHEN MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY TRADEMARKED HIS VOICE

Traditionally, trademark law has not been used to protect a person’s general identity, including their voice or appearance. However, this evolving strategy aims to stretch its scope. Actor Matthew McConaughey previously adopted a similar approach, with his legal team arguing that trademarks can serve as an additional line of defence against AI-generated impersonations.

In 2025, the USPTO granted McConaughey eight trademarks, including a sound mark for his iconic line “Alright, alright, alright!” from Dazed and Confused, along with other audio and video clips. Legal experts say such filings can strengthen a celebrity’s ability to act against unauthorised commercial use of their identity.

TAYLOR SWIFT'S FIGHT AGAINST AI

The need for such safeguards is not theoretical. Swift has already been the subject of multiple AI-generated fakes – from chatbot outputs on platforms owned by Meta to explicit deepfake images circulated online. During the 2024 US presidential election cycle, AI-generated visuals of Swift were also shared by Donald Trump, falsely suggesting her endorsement.

Separately, Swift is also facing a trademark dispute. In March, Las Vegas performer Maren Wade filed a lawsuit alleging that Swift’s 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl infringes her earlier trademark, Confessions of a Showgirl. The USPTO had previously rejected Swift’s attempt to trademark “Life of a Showgirl” for live entertainment services, citing potential confusion with Wade’s existing mark.

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