Taylor Swift has filed requests with the American Institute of Intellectual Property to make her voice a registered trademark, a move similar to actor Matthew McConaughey’s amid the surge of content generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
The singer submitted two sound marks to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Each one starts with “Hey, it’s Taylor” and announces the release of her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” which came out in early October.
Another document sent to the USPTO on Friday, initially reported by intellectual property specialist lawyer Josh Gerben, is a photo of the artist on stage.
The records do not specify the purpose of this move. When contacted by the Agence France-Presse, Taylor Swift’s press attaché did not immediately respond.
In September 2024, the star condemned the posting of a fake image of her on Donald Trump’s campaign website, urging support for the billionaire Republican candidate.
“This has heightened my concerns regarding AI and the danger of misinformation,” Taylor Swift commented on Instagram at that time.
In mid-January, American actor Matthew McConaughey became the first to take this step with the USPTO, presented as a safeguard against the unauthorized use of his voice by AI models.
Advancements in models now allow voices to be synthesized in a matter of seconds with a short excerpt, compared to the long recordings and days required just a few years ago.
Many artists are now worried about the potential misuse of their image and voice by AI platforms.
Several American states have passed laws prohibiting this, but most focus on malicious use or for commercial purposes.
Only a few, including the ELVIS Act passed by the local Tennessee parliament in 2024, offer more comprehensive protection.
Few actors have sought legal action to uphold their rights. One notable example is Scarlett Johansson, who in 2023 sued the Lisa AI app for creating an AI avatar of her image for an advertisement without her consent.
