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American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has filed applications with the United States Intellectual Property Office to trademark her voice as concerns grow over the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated replicas.
She submitted two audio recordings to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Each begins with “Hey, it’s Taylor” and announces the release of her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl”, which was released in early October.
Another filing submitted on Friday reportedly included a photograph of her performing on stage.
The submissions were first identified by intellectual property attorney Josh Gerben. The filings give no further details about the submission.
Swift’s publicist, when contacted by AFP, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Actor Matthew McConaughey has also filed for similar protection with the USPTO, reportedly to prevented the unauthorised use of his voice through artificial intelligence systems.
His filings reportedly include recordings of his well-known phrase, “Alright, alright, alright,” from the 1993 film Dazed and Confused, as well as other short expressions associated with him.
Advances in AI now make it possible to replicate a voice within seconds using only a brief audio sample, a process that previously required extensive recordings and days of processing.
Concerns have been growing among artists over the use of their voice and likeness without consent by AI platforms.
Some US states have introduced laws restricting such use, though many focus on malicious or commercial exploitation.
Only a few, including Tennessee’s 2024 ELVIS Act, provide broader protections.
Legal action remains relatively rare among performers.
One of the most prominent cases involved Scarlett Johansson, who sued the Lisa AI app in 2023 over claims it created an AI-generated likeness of her for advertising without permission.
