Taylor Swift Secures Trademarks for Voice and Image as AI Protection Strategy

The 36-year-old pop superstar has taken a proactive legal stance by filing trademark applications for her voice and image, filing paperwork on Friday, April 24, through her company TAS Rights Management with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

Two of the three applications cover vocal trademarks: "Hey, it's Taylor Swift" and "Hey, it's Taylor." The third filing protects a specific visual representation depicting Swift holding a pink guitar with a black strap, dressed in a multi-colored iridescent bodysuit and silver boots, positioned on a pink stage in front of a multi-colored microphone with purple stage lighting.

According to trademark attorney Josh Gerben, founder of Gerben IP, the filings appear designed to create legal barriers against AI misuse. "Theoretically, if a lawsuit were to be filed over an AI using Swift's voice, she could claim that any use of her voice that sounds like the registered trademark violates her trademark rights," Gerben explained. The visual trademark operates similarly, he noted, allowing Swift's legal team to pursue claims against AI-generated or manipulated images that replicate her distinctive look, including her frequently worn jumpsuit and characteristic pose.

The entertainment industry has seen growing interest in voice replication technology. Other notable figures including Michael Caine and Matthew McConaughey have partnered with AI company ElevenLabs to create authorized virtual versions of their voices.