Taylor Swift Moves to Trademark Her Voice and Image Amid AI Threats

Taylor Swift has taken legal steps to protect her voice and image from unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) use, filing multiple trademark applications to safeguard her likeness amid growing concerns over deepfake technology. The filings, submitted by her company TAS Rights Management on April 24, 2026, include two sound marks—specific audio clips of her voice—as well as a visual trademark for a signature concert image associated with her Eras Tour.

Trademark Applications Target AI Misuse

The move reflects a broader effort by celebrities to assert control over their digital identities as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated. Swift’s applications include protections for the spoken phrases Hey, it’s Taylor Swift and Hey, it’s Taylor, which could help her challenge unauthorized AI-generated clips or voice impersonations. She filed for trademark protection on a visual image of herself performing in a sparkly bodysuit while playing a pink guitar, a look closely tied to her recent tour.

Intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben, who analyzed the filings, noted that Swift’s strategy represents a shift in how public figures are using trademark law to combat AI misuse. Taylor Swift isn’t merely trying to trademark a catchphrase—she’s seeking federal protection for the sound of her own voice saying it, Gerben wrote on his blog. This approach could set a precedent for other artists facing similar threats.

AI Deepfakes Have Targeted Swift Before

Swift has been at the center of the AI deepfake debate in recent years. In January 2024, nonconsensual, AI-generated explicit images falsely depicting the singer spread online, prompting outrage from fans and calls for stronger legal protections. Social media platform X temporarily blocked searches for her name while removing the content. Months later, in August 2024, then-presidential candidate Donald Trump shared AI-generated images on Truth Social suggesting Swift endorsed his campaign, despite her public opposition to him.

These incidents highlight the challenges celebrities face as AI tools make it easier to create convincing fake content. While existing Right of Publicity laws offer some protection against unauthorized use of a person’s likeness, trademark filings provide an additional legal layer. Swift’s actions follow a similar move by actor Matthew McConaughey, who filed trademarks in early 2026 to protect his voice and image from AI replication.

Sound Marks: A Rare but Growing Legal Strategy

Swift’s sound mark applications are part of a niche but increasingly relevant legal tactic. Sound marks—trademarks for audio clips—are relatively uncommon but have been used by brands like Netflix (its tu-dum intro) and NBC (its chimes). For celebrities, securing these protections could become more common as AI-generated content proliferates. Gerben’s firm, Gerben IP, noted that Swift’s filings specifically target the timbre, inflection, and cadence of her voice, aiming to prevent AI from replicating her unique vocal characteristics without permission.

The applications also include specific audio clips tied to promotional material for her 2026 album, The Life of a Showgirl. One clip features Swift saying, Hey, it’s Taylor Swift, and you can listen to my new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ on demand on Amazon Music Unlimited. Another includes her in a lower register: Hey, it’s Taylor. My brand new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is out on Oct. 3 and you can click to presave it so you can listen to it on Spotify.

Industry-Wide Concerns Over AI

Swift’s legal maneuvers come as the entertainment industry grapples with the ethical and legal implications of AI. Musicians, actors, and other public figures have reported instances of their voices or likenesses being used in deepfake videos, fake endorsements, and even AI-generated songs without consent. In some cases, these fakes have gone viral, misleading fans and damaging reputations.

While AI companies have introduced guardrails to prevent harmful uses of their models, enforcement remains inconsistent. Celebrities like Swift are taking proactive steps to establish stronger legal standing to sue over unauthorized replications. McConaughey, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, emphasized the need for consent and attribution in an AI-driven world, stating that any use of his likeness or voice should require his approval.

What Comes Next?

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will now review Swift’s applications, a process that could take several months. If approved, the trademarks would give her legal recourse against unauthorized AI-generated content that mimics her voice or uses her protected image. However, experts caution that trademark law may not cover all potential AI abuses, particularly those involving parodies or transformative uses.

For now, Swift’s filings signal a growing trend among high-profile figures to assert control over their digital identities. As AI technology advances, the entertainment industry may see more celebrities pursuing similar legal protections to safeguard their voices, images, and public personas from misuse.