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Taylor 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.
273 Articles
273 Articles
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.
Taylor Swift files trademark for voice and likeness to protect against AI misuse
Taylor Swift is back in the spotlight — but this time, it's not a chart-topping single making waves. It's a high-stakes clash with artificial intelligence. The pop star filed new trademarks to protect her voice and likeness from being copied or manipulated by AI, according to Variety. According to filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Swift is seeking to trademark the phrases "Hey, it's Taylor Swift" and "Hey, it's Taylor" as sound …
Taylor Swift is stepping up the legal war on AI copycats
Taylor Swift has been at the center of AI imitation controversies for years, and now, she's become the latest celebrity who's escalating attempts to protect herself from AI copycats. As usual, however, the legal system intersects with technology in complicated ways - and Swift's efforts may be a long shot. In trademark applications filed last week, Swift's team asked for protection for two phrases spoken by the singer: "Hey, it's Taylor Swift" a…
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