Taylor Swift's company files trademark applications to protect her voice

On April 24, TAS Rights Management, the company representing Taylor Swift, filed three trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Two of the applications concern audio clips where Swift says "Hey, it’s Taylor Swift" and "Hey, it’s Taylor" to promote her album "The Life of a Showgirl." The third application involves a photograph of the artist on stage. Intellectual property lawyer Josh Gerben identified the filings, noting this is an untested strategy to potentially combat AI-generated deepfakes and unauthorized impersonations. Swift has previously faced issues with AI, including the circulation of fake sexualized images and a fabricated endorsement of Donald Trump. While the artist has not commented on these specific filings, she has publicly expressed concerns regarding AI-driven misinformation. If approved, these trademarks could provide a new legal framework for protecting her persona. The applications are currently awaiting review by U.S. authorities.