Taylor Swift Files Sound and Image Trademarks Amid AI Concerns

Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications pertaining to her voice and image amid continued concerns in the entertainment world over the rise of artificial intelligence and potential misuses of the evolving technology. 

The singer’s company, TAS Rights Management, filed three applications on Friday (April 24) with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. One is an image of Swift performing during The Eras Tour, and the other two are sound trademarks, covering the phrases “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor.” (The applications were first noted by intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben.)

A rep for Swift did not immediately return a request for comment.

Swift is following in the footsteps of actor Matthew McConaughey, who filed eight similar trademarks over the past several months to protect his famous Texan drawl and image. McConaughey’s attorneys submitted applications of the Oscar winner saying his iconic line “alright, alright, alright!” from the 1993 comedy Dazed and Confused, and staring into the camera.

In many states, celebrities receive protections under “Right of Publicity” laws, which prevent unauthorized uses their name or likeness. As Gerben noted in his blog post about Swift’s applications, filing for trademarks can “provide an additional layer of protection,” especially when there still isn’t a strong legal framework for dealing with misuses of AI. (The NO FAKES Act, designed to protect people’s voices and visual likeness from being exploited with AI, was introduced in Congress a couple years ago, but remains under committee consideration.)

As one of music’s biggest stars with an international fanbase, Swift has already contended with more sinister uses of AI. In early 2024, the social media platform X temporarily blocked users from searching her name on the site after AI-generated explicit images depicting Swift began circulating. 

That same year, Donald Trump shared AI-generated images that suggested Swift backed his campaign in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, prompting her to address the use of her image without her consent. 

“It really conjured up my fears around AI, and the dangers of spreading misinformation,” Swift wrote on Instagram as she endorsed Kamala Harris for president. “It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.”