Taylor Swift Trademarks Voice and Likeness to Combat AI Deepfakes
Severity: Low (Score: 36.9)
Sources: Nbcnews, Independent
Summary
On April 27, 2026, Taylor Swift filed trademark applications for her voice and likeness to protect against the misuse of AI deepfakes. The applications include two sound trademarks featuring audio clips of her voice and a visual trademark of her performing on stage. Swift's move follows a rise in deepfake incidents, including misleading clips of her promoting products and manipulated images shared online. Intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben noted that these trademarks could provide Swift with legal grounds to challenge unauthorized uses of her voice and likeness. This strategy mirrors similar actions taken by other celebrities, such as Matthew McConaughey, who previously trademarked his catchphrase to safeguard against AI misuse. The filings reflect a growing trend among celebrities to secure their intellectual property rights in the face of evolving AI technologies. Key Points: • Taylor Swift filed trademarks for her voice and likeness to combat AI deepfakes. • The trademarks include audio clips and a visual image from her performances. • This move aligns with a trend among celebrities seeking legal protection against AI misuse.
Key Entities
- Stealing Isn’t Innovation (campaign)
- The Human Artistry Campaign (campaign)
- Sora 2 (tool)