Shake It Off, But Don’t Steal It: Taylor Swift Seeks Trademark Protection of Her Voice Against AI Imitators

On April 24, 2026, Taylor Swift filed applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) seeking protection for: (1) audio marks consisting of her voice speaking the phrases “Hey, It’s Taylor Swift”[1] and “Hey, it’s Taylor,”[2] and (2) an image depicting her standing on stage playing a pink guitar.[3] This approach follows Matthew McConaughey’s successful registration of his well-known phrase, “Alright alright alright,” for use in connection with clothing, downloadable audiovisual content, and entertainment services, including personal appearances as an actor and celebrity.

These filings come amid rising concerns over deepfakes, AI-generated images, and voice impersonation. Swift’s voice and likeness have already been used in various AI-generated deepfakes, including explicit imagery, false endorsements, and fabricated political statements.

Historically, singers and actors have relied primarily on copyright law to protect recorded music, films, and other fixed works. However, as AI systems become increasingly capable of replicating voices and generating realistic images, video, and live-like media, celebrities are testing the boundaries of trademark law to protect aspects of their everyday identity.

Common phrases, sayings, and statements can be difficult to register as trademarks – particularly as recorded “sound marks.” The Lanham Act defines a “trademark” as “any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof … used by a person … to identify and distinguish his or her goods … from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate the source of the goods, even if that source is unknown.”[4] As explained in Section 1202.04(b) of the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP), “[m]atter that merely conveys ordinary, familiar, or generally understood concepts or sentiments … or similar informational messages in common use, would not be perceived as indicating source and thus is not registrable.”[5]

Nevertheless, trademark law may still provide a pathway for protecting celebrity catchphrases when delivered in a recognizable voice, particularly where that voice itself functions as a source identifier in the same way as a name, logo, or slogan. In this context, protection could help reduce consumer confusion and provide assurance that statements attributed to a celebrity are genuinely authorized by them.

The USPTO’s treatment of these applications is likely to influence how celebrities and rightsholders structure branding and identity protection strategies in the evolving landscape of AI-generated impersonation.

Cullen and Dykman’s Intellectual Property team continues to monitor important developments in trademark and copyright law. Should you have any questions about this legal alert, please feel free to contact Karen Levin (klevin@cullenllp.com) at (516) 296-9110, Ariel Ronneburger (aronneburger@cullenllp.com) at (516) 296-9182, or Jordan Milite (jmilite@cullenllp.com) at (516) 296-9128.

This advisory provides a brief overview of the most significant changes in the law and does not constitute legal advice. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between the sender and recipient.

Footnotes

[1] The recording is available here: https://tmng-al.uspto.gov/resting2/api/casedoc/cms/case/99784980/tmdocument/20260424162012887775SPE0003.wav

[2] The recording is available here: https://tmng-al.uspto.gov/resting2/api/casedoc/cms/case/99784979/tmdocument/20260424162005244899SPE0003.wav

[3] The image is available here: https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/search/search-results/99784977

[4] 15 U.S.C. Section 1127.

[5] Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure § 1202.04(b) (U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Nov. 2025). (available at https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/guides-and-manuals/tmep-archives).