Alicia Keys Trademarks

Alicia Keys is an award-winning singer and songwriter with a successful music career that has spanned more than twenty years.

Alicia Augello Cook was born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, New York on January 25, 1981. She was raised in Hell’s Kitchen by her mother who was a paralegal. As a student at the Professional Performing Arts School, she was composing songs by the time she was 12 years old and signed by a label for the first time before she was 16 years old.

Keys was a member of the youth organization Teens in Motion, as well as one-third of a girl’s singing group. She was discovered when she was 13 years old by the Teens in Motion leader’s brother, Jeff Robinson. Robinson helped to expose her to the world of professional music and helped to get her signed to her first record deal.

Meanwhile, Keys finished high school early as the valedictorian. She chose to attend Columbia University after she was offered a scholarship. She attended Columbia University while working for Columbia Records on her music. The pressure was immense and she was unhappy with Columbia Records. Eventually, she would leave school and end her relationship with Columbia.

Robinson then helped her get signed by Arista Records in 1998. Arista Records gave her more creative control over her music. It was Robinson who suggested the stage name Keys, which she liked because she felt it represented her well. Her song “Rock wit U” appeared in Shaft (2000) and her song “Rear View Mirror” was in Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001). She also appeared on The Tonight Show to promote her upcoming debut album. She was booked on Oprah just a week before her first album dropped.

Her first studio album was titled Songs in A Minor (2001). “A Woman’s Worth,” which topped out at number seven on the charts, “How Come You Don’t Call Me,” which stalled out at 59, and “Girlfriend” which went to number 82. The album was considered a critical and commercial success. The album and its songs garnered Grammy’s for Best R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. The album is certified septuple platinum.

Keys has recorded seven other studio albums and toured seven other times. Those include The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), The Verizon Ladies First Tour (2004), Diary Tour (2005), As I Am (2007), As I Am Tour (2008), The Element of Freedom (2009), The Freedom Tour (2010), Piano & I: A One Night Only Event with Alicia Keys (2011), Girl On Fire (2012), Set the World On Fire Tour (2013), Here (2016), Alicia (2020), Keys (2021), Santa Baby (2022), and Alicia + Keys World Tour (2022).

In addition to having her music featured in moves and on television, Keys has appeared in several movies throughout her career. She was in Smokin’ Aces (2006), The Nanny Diaries (2007), and The Secret Life of Bees (2008). She has also worked as a coach on the television competition The Voice.

She is also the author of several books, including Tears for Water: Songbook of Poems and Lyrics (2004), Unplugged (2006), How Can I Keep from Singing?: Transforming the Lives of African Children and Families Affected by AIDS (2007), Blue Moon: From the Journals of MaMa Mae and LeeLee (2014), and More Myself: A Journey (2020).

Alicia Keys established AK Worldwide IP Management, Inc. to oversee her business and philanthropic pursuits.

AK Worldwide IP Management, Inc. obtained a federal trademark registration for “ALICIA KEYS” in 2000, for entertainment services, specifically, live vocal performances. In 2009, the company obtained a federal trademark registration for “ALICIA KEYS” for plastic key holders, mugs, ornamental buttons, and audio production services as well as tour programs, posters, and similar items, clothing like t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts and headwear, and for stuffed toy plush bears. Additionally, in 2011, it obtained a federal trademark registration for “ALICIA KEYS” for prerecorded music CDs, jewelry, songbooks, and clothing like scarves, sweatshirts, and tank tops.

In 2013, the company obtained a federal trademark registration for “ALICIA KEYS AS I AM” for electronic recordings like CDs, MP3s, and other downloadable performances. 

The company filed an application to register “KLUB KEYS” and “CLUB KEYS” as a federal trademark for clothing and nightclub services and performances in 2019. It also applied for a trademark for “ALICIA TEAS” for teas.

AK Worldwide IP Management Inc applied for a trademark for “KEYS” for false eyelashes and nail care items in 2020. In 2021, it filed a trademark application with the USPTO for “ALICIA KEYS” for jewelry and various clothing items.

In 2022, the company applied for a trademark for a logo that includes the words “ALICIA KEYS RECORDS” for recorded music such as digital and downloadable music, clothing like t-shirts and hoodies, advertising, marketing, and business management, and for entertainment including concerts and presentations.