Taylor Swift Files Trademarks to Protect Voice and Image from AI
Taylor Swift has submitted trademark applications to safeguard her voice and appearance amid rising concerns over artificial intelligence impersonations.
The internationally renowned pop artist has filed three trademark requests in the United States. One application features a photograph of Swift performing on stage during her Eras Tour, while the other two include audio clips of her introducing herself as part of promotional material for her most recent album.
Background on AI-Generated Impersonations
In recent years, AI-generated depictions of Swift have appeared in various forms, ranging from explicit images to a fabricated election advertisement where she seemingly endorsed Donald Trump.
This trademark initiative follows actor Matthew McConaughey’s precedent earlier this year, as he became the first celebrity to utilize trademark law to protect his voice and image from unauthorized AI use.
Trademark filings have emerged as a novel legal strategy for celebrities aiming to address the escalating problem of AI-generated imitations.
Details of the Trademark Applications
The photograph selected to represent Swift’s image in the trademark application depicts her on stage "holding a pink guitar, with a black strap and wearing a multi-colored iridescent bodysuit with silver boots," according to the filing documents.
This image has previously served as an official promotional photo for the Disney+ film documenting the Eras Tour.
Additionally, Swift has sought trademark protection for audio recordings of herself saying "Hey, it's Taylor" and "Hey, it's Taylor Swift." These clips were recorded last autumn for Spotify and Amazon Music to promote her album The Life of a Showgirl.
Legal Implications of the Trademark Strategy
Trademark lawyer Josh Gerben, who first revealed the applications on his blog, explained that even if the exact photo and audio clips are not directly copied, registering these trademarks could empower Swift to prevent broader AI usage of her image and voice.
"By registering specific phrases tied to her voice, Swift could potentially challenge not only identical reproductions, but also imitations that are 'confusingly similar,' a key standard in trademark law," he wrote.
"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.
"Same with the image filing. If someone creates an AI-generated version of Taylor in a jumpsuit with a guitar, or something close to it, now Swift has a federal trademark claim."
