Taylor Swift Wants to Trademark Her Likeness. These TikTok Deepfake Ads Show Why

2026-04-29 · Source: WIRED - Ai · Field: Legal & Regulatory — Intellectual Property & Patents, Compliance & Risk Management · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Taylor Swift recently filed three trademark applications to protect her image and voice, specifically covering a photograph from her record-breaking Eras tour and two identifying sound phrases: "Hey, it's Taylor Swift" and "Hey, it's Taylor." This proactive measure aims to establish legal safeguards against the unauthorized commercial use and digital manipulation of her persona. The filings underscore a growing concern among public figures regarding the misuse of their likeness, particularly in the context of emerging technologies like deepfakes, as highlighted by the article's title.

Key takeaway

Taylor Swift filed three trademark applications to protect her image and voice, covering a specific concert photograph and two identifying sound phrases, directly addressing the rising threat of deepfake misuse. This proactive legal strategy establishes a critical precedent for celebrities and brands seeking to combat unauthorized AI-generated content and safeguard personal likeness rights.

Topics

• Taylor Swift
• Trademark Applications
• Likeness Rights
• Voice Protection
• Deepfake Technology

Best for: CTO, Executive, Legal Professional, Policy Maker, Tech Journalist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by WIRED - Ai.