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 amid the surge of AI-generated content.
The singer has submitted two sound imprints to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Each one begins 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 transmitted to the USPTO on Friday and initially reported by intellectual property specialist lawyer Josh Gerben, is a photo of the artist on stage.
The filings do not provide details about the purpose. When contacted by 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, calling for support for the billionaire Republican candidate.
“This has heightened my concerns about AI and the danger of misinformation,” Taylor Swift commented on Instagram at the time.
In mid-January, American actor Matthew McConaughey became the first to take this step with the USPTO, presented as a protection against the misuse of his voice by AI models.
The advancement of models now allows for the synthesis of a voice in seconds with a short excerpt, compared to the lengthy recordings and days required just a few years ago.
Many artists are concerned about the wild use of their image and voice by AI platforms.
Several American states have enacted laws prohibiting this, focusing mainly on malicious or commercial use.
Only a few, including the ELVIS Act passed by the Tennessee local parliament in 2024, offer more general protection.
Few actors have taken legal action to assert their rights. The most notable example is Scarlett Johansson, who sued the Lisa AI app in 2023 for creating an AI avatar of her without consent for an advertisement.
