US EditionTaylor Swift files to trademark her voice, likeness to ward off AI deepfakes
The filings seek federal protection against AI-generated deepfakes and false endorsements, as trademark attorney Josh Gerben said the move tests new legal ground.
- On Friday, April 24, 2026, TAS Rights Management filed three U.S. trademark applications for Taylor Swift: two sound marks of her voice saying "Hey, it's Taylor Swift" and "Hey, it's Taylor," plus one performance image from her Eras Tour.
- Persistent AI-generated deepfakes—including explicit imagery and false political endorsements—prompted the filings. Swift previously expressed fears that AI could spread misinformation and exploit her identity without consent.
- Trademark attorney Josh Gerben noted the strategy is novel and untested in court. He explained trademark law prohibits "confusingly similar" imitations, providing an "additional layer of protection" beyond copyright.
- Actor Matthew McConaughey secured eight trademarks in 2025, setting a precedent Swift's team now follows. McConaughey's attorneys argued such protections create "a clear perimeter around ownership" against unauthorized AI impersonations.
- Legal experts suggest this "legal shield" strategy could become a survival guide for celebrities as AI threats grow. Though untested in court, the filings signal a shift toward federal trademark law as a tool against AI-generated replicas.
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Taylor Swift files trademark applications for her voice and likeness reportedly to curb AI threats
Taylor Swift filed three new trademark applications with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, a move one legal expert theorizes it is to protect her voice and image from potential misuse through artificial intelligence.
Taylor Swift files trademark applications for her voice and likeness reportedly to curb AI threats
Taylor Swift filed three new trademark applications with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, a move one legal expert theorizes it is to protect her voice and image from potential misuse through artificial intelligence.
Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications for two sound recordings and a visual image with the USPTO, a preventive measure against the misuse of artificial intelligence that can mimic the voices and images of celebrities without permission.
fredericksburg.com
Swift seeks trademark for voice, likeness
Pop superstar Taylor Swift filed trademark applications for two audio clips and one image of herself in what a trademark attorney said is an attempt to protect her voice and likeness from deepfake videos and audio created by artificial intelligence.
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