Taylor Swift has filed three trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office—two tied to her voice and one to her likeness, following numerous instances of her persona being used in AI-generated content without her consent.
Key Facts
- The applications were filed Friday by TAS Rights Management, LLC, a Nashville, Tennessee-based company established in 2011 to manage, protect and license Swift’s intellectual property.
- Two of the filings are for “sound marks,” a lesser-known type of trademark that protects distinctive audio elements.
- Swift is specifically seeking to trademark phrases in her own voice, including “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor.”
- A third filing seeks protection for a visual trademark featuring Swift holding a pink guitar with a black strap, wearing a multicolored bodysuit with silver accents and boots—a look tied to her recent performances.
- Swift already owns more than 50 trademarks connected to her name.
Key Background:
Swift has become a high-profile example of how AI can be used to replicate a person’s identity without consent. Her image and voice have appeared in a range of unauthorized content, from chatbot interactions to explicit images circulating online. The issue gained even more attention during the 2024 election cycle, when President Donald Trump shared AI-generated images on Truth Social falsely suggesting Swift supported him, including one styled like the Uncle Sam recruiting poster with the message, “Taylor wants you to vote for Donald Trump.” He later posted additional images alongside the comment, “I accept !”
Big Number:
Forbes estimates Swift’s net worth to be $2 billion, driven largely by earnings from her Eras Tour and the value of her music catalog.
This article was originally published on forbes.com and all figures are in USD.
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