Taylor Swift’s Trademark Strategy: A Masterclass in IP Protection
When it comes to intellectual property, few artists have been as strategic—or as successful—as Taylor Swift. Beyond her music, she has built an empire grounded in the careful management and protection of her intellectual property (IP). Her approach offers lessons for artists, entrepreneurs, and business owners alike: if it can be named, branded, or sold, it can—and likely should—be protected.
How Many Trademarks Does Taylor Swift Own?
Through her company, TAS Rights Management, LLC, Swift has filed more than 300 trademark applications in the United States alone. Globally, she has over 400 listings across at least 16 jurisdictions. These filings cover everything from her name and album titles to tour names, iconic lyrics, and even the names of her beloved cats.
This is not merely about ownership of catchy words or phrases. It is about building and protecting a brand. Every trademark acts as a safeguard, ensuring that the use of Taylor Swift’s name, music, and creative universe remains firmly under her control.
What Does She Trademark?
Taylor Swift’s portfolio spans a wide spectrum of categories:
Her Name and Identity – “Taylor Swift” is trademarked worldwide, giving her legal protection to control the use of her name across industries and platforms.
Album and Song Titles – From 1989 to Midnights to her upcoming The Life of a Showgirl, album titles are trademarked not just for music, but also for merchandise, digital content, and branding opportunities.
Lyrics and Phrases – Iconic lines such as “This sick beat” and “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now” are protected, turning memorable lyrics into brand assets.
Tour Names – The Eras Tour and others are trademarked, protecting not just the music but the live experience as a commercial brand.
Merchandise and Lifestyle Products – Swift has expanded into cosmetics, digital apps (like Taymoji), and apparel, all protected by her IP filings.
Her Fanbase – She even sought trademark protection for “Swifties,” underlining the commercial and cultural value of her community.
Even her cats—Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin—are trademarked, underscoring her view that every aspect of her public identity has brand potential.
Why It Matters: Control, Leverage, and Legacy
Swift’s trademark strategy highlights three key takeaways:
Control – By trademarking her brand assets, Swift ensures that fans, companies, and platforms interact with her work on her terms. Unauthorized uses are easier to prevent when legal protection is in place.
Leverage – Her trademarks give her bargaining power. The launch of Taylor’s Version re-recordings, each protected by new trademark filings, became not just an artistic decision but a powerful business move.
Legacy – Intellectual property is the foundation of long-term brand value. With trademarks in place, Swift’s creative works and brand identity can continue to generate value for decades.
Lessons for Businesses and Creators
Taylor Swift’s example may be extraordinary in scale, but the principles apply universally:
Protect early: File trademark applications before launching products, services, or campaigns.
Think broadly: Do not limit protection to a single category—consider merchandise, digital assets, and global markets.
Be proactive: Monitor and enforce rights to prevent dilution or misuse of your brand.
Whether you are a musician, a small business owner, or a growing company, trademarks are a critical piece of protecting your creativity, reputation, and market presence.
At Ed White Law, we help clients take these same steps—whether building a new brand, maintaining an existing trademark portfolio, or addressing potential infringement. Just as Taylor Swift’s career demonstrates, an investment in intellectual property is an investment in your future.
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