Full Breakdown
Taylor Swift Files Trademarks for Voice and Image to Counter AI Deepfakes
4/28/2026, 4:53:43 AM
Core Event
On April 24 2026, Taylor Swift’s company TAS Rights Management submitted three trademark applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Two seek sound marks for the phrases “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor.” The third seeks a visual mark for a concert photo of Swift holding a pink guitar in a multicolored iridescent bodysuit and silver boots.
Background & Context
AI-generated deepfakes have repeatedly used Swift’s voice and likeness, including false advertising, explicit images, and a 2024 AI-crafted endorsement that appeared to support former President Donald Trump. Right-of-publicity statutes provide limited protection, prompting celebrities to explore trademark law as an additional defense.
Key Figures & Groups
The filings list TAS Rights Management as owner, Venable LLP partner Rebecca Liebowitz as attorney of record, and trademark specialist Josh Gerben as the analyst who publicized the move. Actor Matthew McConaughey’s earlier trademark strategy is cited as precedent. Swift’s catalog already includes more than 50 federal trademarks covering her name, album titles and selected lyrics.
Why It Matters
Trademark protection can be enforced in federal court, giving reach beyond state-level publicity rights. If upheld, the marks would let Swift sue for AI-generated content that is “confusingly similar” to the registered phrases or image, establishing a new legal standard for digital impersonation.
Official Statements & Responses
Swift’s spokesperson declined comment. Rebecca Liebowitz did not respond. Matthew McConaughey, who earlier pursued similar trademarks, told the Wall Street Journal his goal is to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution as the norm in an AI world.
Criticism & Opposition
Legal scholars note trademark law was designed to prevent consumer confusion about goods, not to protect a person’s general likeness or voice. Critics argue the approach may be limited to commercial contexts and could clash with First-Amendment-protected parody.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of Swift’s existing trademarks—some cite “over 50,” others reference “hundreds” worldwide. No court has yet ruled on whether a spoken phrase qualifies as a protectable sound mark against AI replication.
Verbatim Quotes
- “attempting to register a celebrity’s spoken voice is a new use of trademark registration that has not been tested in court before.” — Josh Gerben, trademark attorney
- “While existing 'Right of Publicity' laws offer some protection against unauthorized use of a famous individual’s likeness, trademark filings can provide an additional layer of protection,” — Josh Gerben
- “we want to create a clear perimeter around ownership with consent and attribution the norm in an AI world.” — Matthew McConaughey, actor
- “Taylor Swift isn't merely trying to trademark a catchphrase — she's seeking federal protection for the sound of her own voice saying it.” — Josh Gerben
What’s Next
The USPTO’s ruling will clarify whether sound marks can block AI-generated imitations. Observers anticipate additional trademark filings by other entertainers and possible congressional action on the NO FAKES Act to address AI-driven impersonation.
