The global pop star has submitted several trademark applications to protect her voice and selfhood from unofficial use via AI-generated content. 

According to documents submitted on April 24 to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, her company, TAS Rights Management, is looking for rights to specific phrases associated with her, including “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor.” Intellectual property lawyer Josh Gerben first highlighted the filings.

The step comes among developing concerns in the entertainment industry over the misuse of AI, which can copy voices and images without permission. Legal experts say such trademark filings could offer artists a further way to challenge unofficial use, even though traditional laws have not typically covered a person’s voice or image in this manner.

Swift appears to be following a similar procedure to actor Matthew McConaughey, who has previously secured trademarks for his voice and signature expressions.

The singer has faced several AI-related issues in recent years, including edited images and synthetic voice content circulating online. During the 2024 US presidential election cycle, AI-generated images falsely claimed she had endorsed a political candidate.