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Taylor Swift Files Trademarks for Voice Clips and Image to Protect Likeness

Taylor Swift's company submitted three trademark applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on April 24, 2026, covering audio clips of her voice and a promotional photograph. The filings aim to safeguard her voice and image amid rising AI concerns. Similar protections were pursued by actor Matthew McConaughey earlier in the year.

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5 sources·Apr 27, 6:05 PM(8 days ago)·1m read
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Taylor Swift Files Trademarks for Voice Clips and Image to Protect LikenessNbc News
Audio version
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on April 24, 2026. The third application is for a photograph of Swift holding a pink guitar with a black strap and wearing a multi-colored iridescent bodysuit with silver boots on a pink stage in front of a multi-colored microphone with purple lights in the background.

Another clip has her stating: 'Hey, it’s Taylor. These clips were recorded for Spotify and Amazon Music to promote Swift's album 'The Life of a Showgirl,' which was released in early October 2025. The photograph was used as one of the official promotional photos for the Disney+ film of Swift's Eras Tour.

Intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben first publicized the trademark applications on his blog on April 27, 2026. Gerben stated that the filings are designed to protect Swift from threats posed by artificial intelligence, adding that registering a celebrity’s spoken voice is a new use of trademark registration that has not been tested in courts.

Actor Matthew McConaughey had similar trademark filings for his voice and image approved earlier in 2026.

McConaughey trademarked his catchphrase 'All right, all right, all right' from the 1993 film Dazed and Confused. ' followed by additional short phrases. Swift owns more than 50 trademarks related to her name, album titles, and key song lyrics.

In 2024, Swift trademarked 'Female Rage: The Musical,' referring to an Eras Tour segment performing songs from her album The Tortured Poets Department. Tennessee passed the ELVIS Act in 2024, offering broader protections against unauthorized use of image and voice. S.

States have passed laws prohibiting unauthorized use of image and voice by AI platforms, though many apply primarily to malicious or commercial exploitation. Scarlett Johansson sued the app Lisa AI in 2023 for creating an AI avatar in her likeness for use in an advertisement without her consent.

Key Facts

Trademark Filings
TAS Rights Management filed three applications on April 24, 2026, for two voice clips and one image.
Audio Clips
Clips include Swift promoting her 2025 album 'The Life of a Showgirl' on Spotify and Amazon Music.
Image Description
Photograph shows Swift on stage with pink guitar, iridescent bodysuit, silver boots, and purple lights, used for Eras Tour Disney+ film.
Similar Actions
Matthew McConaughey trademarked voice phrases like 'All right, all right, all right' earlier in 2026.
Broader Context
Tennessee's 2024 ELVIS Act and state laws address unauthorized AI use of image and voice.

Story Timeline

6 events
  1. 2026-04-27

    Intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben first publicized the trademark applications on his blog.

    1 sourceVERIFIED FACTS #15
  2. 2026-04-24

    Taylor Swift's company TAS Rights Management filed three trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

    1 sourceVERIFIED FACTS #1
  3. 2026 (earlier)

    Matthew McConaughey had similar trademark filings for his voice and image approved.

    1 sourceVERIFIED FACTS #9
  4. 2025-10 (early)

    Taylor Swift's album 'The Life of a Showgirl' was released.

    1 sourceVERIFIED FACTS #7
  5. 2024

    Taylor Swift trademarked 'Female Rage: The Musical' referring to an Eras Tour segment.

    1 sourceVERIFIED FACTS #14
  6. 2023

    Scarlett Johansson sued the app Lisa AI for creating an AI avatar in her likeness without consent.

    1 sourceVERIFIED FACTS #17

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Influence on other celebrities to pursue similar trademark protections amid AI advancements.

  2. 02

    Enhanced protections under state laws like Tennessee's ELVIS Act for artists against commercial exploitation.

  3. 03

    Potential strengthening of legal claims against AI-generated imitations of Swift's voice or image.

  4. 04

    Possible court tests of voice trademarks filling gaps in copyright law for AI content.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced5 — 4/5 share a lean
Framing risk0/100 (low)
Confidence score86%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count301 words
PublishedApr 27, 2026, 6:05 PM
Bias signals removed2 across 2 outlets
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 2

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