It's no secret that Taylor Swift is a seriously smart businesswoman in addition to being a pop mega-superstar. She's been known to take major action in the name of protecting her work, whether that means pulling her music from streaming sites (or threatening to), or officially trademarking her most recognizable song lyrics. But while we get that Ms. Swift's creative work is unique and valuable and worth safeguarding to a degree, her latest claim staked might raise an eyebrow or two.
The untouchable queen of songs about unrequited love and romance-gone-wrong and her powerhouse legal team have already declared ownership of phrases from her latest album including "This Sick Beat," "Cause We Never Go Out of Style," "Nice to Meet You. Where You Been?" and "Party Like It's 1989." Now, the singer has applied for trademark protection of another set of signature Swiftisms.
As discovered by Tantalizing Trademarks, Swift has filed 20 new trademark requests for "Swiftmas," "Blank Space," "And I'll Write Your Name," "A Girl Named Girl" (the title of a book she wrote when she was 14), and the most questionable of all: "1989," her album title and year of birth (also the birth year of millions of other people).
Media Platforms Design Team
If approved, these multiple trademarks would prevent anyone from using the words and phrases in the context of "live music performances, clothing, printed materials (i.e. books, magazines, brochures), websites, and online retail services," the site reports. The protection extends to stylized usage as it relates to Swift and/or her album. That means you cannot sell a Christmas stocking that says "Merry Swiftmas!" (bummer) and you definitely can't sell a t-shirt that says "1989" on it if you're referring to Taylor Swift's "1989," though if it's just a general reference to the year maybe that's okay? (Any lawyers out there want to field this one for us?)
We're admittedly a bit baffled by the lack of chill here (Can she even do this?) not to mention by what seems like a lot of gray area, but probably best to not test T.Swift on this one lest you lose all hope of ever joining her girl squad. A lawsuit does not two besties make.
Sarah Lindig is the senior digital editor, overseeing special projects for Harper's Bazaar.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfmLKtscGroK2xX6GutbHSrWaaaWNofnV705qwpaeiYsC4tcWtZLCZnqnAbsDOZqurmZSauqK%2BymZocnBpZA%3D%3D