Josh Gerben Analyzes Taylor Swift’s New Anti-AI Trademark Applications for the BBC

Taylor Swift has recently filed trademark applications in an attempt to protect herself from content generated by artificial intelligence.

Josh Gerben explained the theory behind the new legal strategy. 

“Even if the photo and sound clips aren’t copied directly, registering their trademarks could allow her to stop AI using her image and voice more generally,” said trademark lawyer Josh Gerben.

“By registering specific phrases tied to her voice, Swift could potentially challenge not only identical reproductions, but also imitations that are ‘confusingly similar,’ a key standard in trademark law,” he said.

“Theoretically, if a lawsuit were to be filed over an AI using Swift’s voice, she could claim that any use of her voice that sounds like the registered trademark violates her trademark rights.

“Same with the image filing. If someone creates an AI-generated version of Taylor in a jumpsuit with a guitar, or something close to it, now Swift has a federal trademark claim.”

Josh also appeared on the BBC Nightly News with Steve Lai to discuss the filings on April 28.

Source: Youngs, Ian. https://www.bbc.com/. “Taylor Swift files to trademark voice and image after AI concerns”. 27 April 2026.