By Leticia Caminero, intellectual property lawyer and host of the Intangiblia podcast
As Taylor Swift announces her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, all that goes into it behind the scenes showcases her ability to blend creative vision with strategic IP management seamlessly. This is the complete breakdown of her branded universe.
The article has been updated to reflect Taylor Swift’s latest trademark applications, which may help protect her voice and image from AI-generated imitation.
Taylor Swift has filed over 300 trademark applications in the US alone through her company, TAS Rights Management, LLC. Internationally, WIPO’s Global Brand Database shows 438 listings across at least 16 jurisdictions at the time of writing. These trademarks span everything from her name and signature phrases to song titles, tour names, and even the names of her three cats. But this isn’t just about owning catchy words. It’s a strategy that protects her identity, reinforces her brand, and allows her to control how that brand appears in merchandise, digital spaces, and live experiences.
Each trademark is a tool in a larger branding symphony. Whether it’s a line from a hit single or a reference beloved by fans, these marks help ensure that anything associated with Taylor comes from Taylor.
Her stage name Taylor Swift’s trademarks cover a wide range of creative and commercial elements. At the center is her stage name, “Taylor Swift”, trademarked around the world so she can say, with full legal protection “This name is mine”: on stage, in stores, online, and everywhere her brand appears.
Taylor Swift’s trademarks cover a wide range of creative and commercial elements. At the center is her stage name, “Taylor Swift”, trademarked around the world so she can say, with full legal protection “This name is mine”: on stage, in stores, online, and everywhere her brand appears.
The names of her albums – including The Life of a Showgirl She registered several of her album titles, including Reputation, Lover, Evermore, Midnights, 1989, and Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Most recently, she's added The Life of a Showgirl and its acronym TLOAS to the list, with trademark applications covering everything from music recordings to the full range of merchandise. These trademarks help protect the look, feel, and story behind each album. The album announcement was strategic storytelling in itself. Not with a typical press release, but through a mint-green briefcase reveal on the New Heights podcast, hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce. It was a marketing move as strategic and theatrical as the album itself.
She registered several of her album titles, including Reputation, Lover, Evermore, Midnights, 1989, and Fearless (Taylor’s Version). Most recently, she's added The Life of a Showgirl and its acronym TLOAS to the list, with trademark applications covering everything from music recordings to the full range of merchandise. These trademarks help protect the look, feel, and story behind each album.
The album announcement was strategic storytelling in itself. Not with a typical press release, but through a mint-green briefcase reveal on the New Heights podcast, hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce. It was a marketing move as strategic and theatrical as the album itself.
Individual phrases in her lyrics Some of her most iconic lyrics and phrases have also been trademarked – like “Welcome to New York, it’s been waiting for you,” “This sick beat,” “Nice to meet you, where you been?” and “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now.” They’re more than lyrics now; they’re part of her identity and her business.
Some of her most iconic lyrics and phrases have also been trademarked – like “Welcome to New York, it’s been waiting for you,” “This sick beat,” “Nice to meet you, where you been?” and “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now.” They’re more than lyrics now; they’re part of her identity and her business.
Her tour names Tour names such as The Eras Tour, 1989 World Tour, and Fearless Tour are protected too. This gives her full control over how those experiences are presented and sold.
Tour names such as The Eras Tour, 1989 World Tour, and Fearless Tour are protected too. This gives her full control over how those experiences are presented and sold.
Her fanbase: the Swifties She’s tried to trademark the name of her fanbase, Swifties. Some of those filings have faced challenges in certain jurisdictions, but it still shows how serious she is about protecting her connection with her fans.
She’s tried to trademark the name of her fanbase, Swifties. Some of those filings have faced challenges in certain jurisdictions, but it still shows how serious she is about protecting her connection with her fans.