All posts tagged: trademarks

Taylor Swift trademarks voice and likeness in apparent bid to stop AI deepfakes

Taylor Swift trademarks voice and likeness in apparent bid to stop AI deepfakes

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the inside track from Roisin O’Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications covering her voice and likeness, apparently in a bid to halt the creation of artificial intelligence deepfakes. The pop superstar, who was recently named as Spotify’s most-streamed artist of all time, submitted two sound trademarks covering her voice, one including the phrase “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift,” and the other simply “Hey, it’s Taylor.” She also filed to trademark an image of herself holding a pink guitar during her record-breaking “Eras” tour. In a blog post, intellectual-property attorney Josh Gerben (who does not represent Swift) argued that is likely the filings are intended to protect Swift from unauthorized AI versions of herself being created. “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,” wrote …

Judge denies NCAA bid to block DraftKings March Madness trademarks use

Judge denies NCAA bid to block DraftKings March Madness trademarks use

Published by skeptic

A federal judge has refused to immediately stop DraftKings from using the NCAA’s well-known basketball tournament branding, even while signaling the league is likely to win key parts of its lawsuit. In a March 26 order, the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana said the NCAA satisfied most of the legal test for a temporary restraining order. But the request ultimately failed on urgency. As the court put it, “the NCAA has made the requisite showing that three of the four elements necessary for a TRO exists, but… they have not shown irreparable harm.” Court finds likely DraftKings trademark violation against NCAA The case, filed earlier this month, accuses DraftKings of trademark infringement, false association, and dilution tied to its use of phrases like “March Madness,” “Final Four,” and “Elite Eight” across its sportsbook. The judge made clear the claims are still substantial. In the ruling, the court said DraftKings’ wording closely tracks the NCAA’s protected marks and could mislead users. “The challenged terms are clearly similar to the NCAA Basketball Marks,” …

NCAA sues DraftKings over March Madness trademarks in betting dispute

NCAA sues DraftKings over March Madness trademarks in betting dispute

Published by skeptic

The NCAA has filed a federal lawsuit against DraftKings, accusing the sportsbook operator of improperly using some of its most recognizable basketball tournament trademarks. The case, lodged in Indianapolis, claims the company’s actions create a misleading connection between college sports and gambling. The NCAA suggests DraftKings’ use of terms like “March Madness,” “Final Four,” “Elite Eight,” and “Sweet Sixteen” in its betting products and promotions violates its trademark. The NCAA is pushing for an emergency court order that would force the company to stop using those names right away. The organization says the issue cuts into how the public understands its stance on sports betting. “This is an action for trademark infringement, trademark false association and unfair competition, and trademark dilution,” the NCAA states in its complaint seen by ReadWrite, adding that it is seeking injunctive relief and damages. The filing showcases just how central those tournament brands are to the NCAA’s identity. It calls the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments “among the most famous and widely recognized sporting events in the United …

North West, 12, to launch fashion empire as mom Kim Kardashian files three trademarks

North West, 12, to launch fashion empire as mom Kim Kardashian files three trademarks

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s 12-year-old daughter, North West, is set to launch her own fashion brand. Kardashian’s lawyers recently filed three trademark applications on behalf of the preteen for the new venture, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. North’s future fashion empire will reportedly be called “NOR11” — a nod to North’s nickname as well as her age when she first developed the line, according to The U.S. Sun. The applications seek to use NOR11 across multiple categories: the first in clothing and accessories, including dresses, socks, shoes and hats. The second was for watches and jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. The third was for a variety of bags, including backpacks, purses and wallets. While the brand has not …

Tesla panic-files ‘Cybercar’ and ‘Cybervehicle’ trademarks moments after Musk says them

Tesla panic-files ‘Cybercar’ and ‘Cybervehicle’ trademarks moments after Musk says them

Published by skeptic

Tesla filed two new trademark applications within 37 seconds of each other last night, moments after Elon Musk used the terms on the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call. It follows Tesla having issues securing the ‘Cybercab’ trademark because of its own tardiness again. Welcome to Tesla’s new trademark strategy: panic-filing in real time. The filings According to USPTO records obtained by Electrek, Tesla filed for two new trademarks on January 28, 2026: Mark Serial Number Filing Time (ET) CYBERCAR 99620747 7:32:54 PM CYBERVEHICLE 99620749 7:33:31 PM That’s 37 seconds apart. Advertisement – scroll for more content Tesla’s Q4 2025 earnings call began at 5:30 PM ET yesterday. By the time these filings hit the USPTO at 7:32-7:33 PM, the call had just wrapped up. During the call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said this: Because that implies that the CyberCab, which is a dedicated two-seater dedicated robo taxi, is a little confusing with the terms robo taxi and CyberCab. Sorry about the confusion. In fact, in some states, we’re not allowed to use the word cab …

Matthew McConaughey trademarks iconic catchphrase in war on AI deepfakes

Matthew McConaughey trademarks iconic catchphrase in war on AI deepfakes

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Matthew McConaughey has filed to trademark his signature catchphrase “alright, alright, alright” in a fight against artificial-intelligence deepfakes. The actor, 56, recently secured eight trademarks to protect his likeness from unauthorized AI misuse, including his voice, his smile, and the famous phrase, which he first improvised in Richard Linklater’s 1993 comedy Dazed and Confused. “The mark consists of a man saying ‘ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT,’ wherein the first syllable of the first two words is at a lower pitch than the second syllable, and the first syllable of the last word is at a higher pitch than the second syllable,” the trademark registration stated, according to Variety. Attorneys for the entertainment law firm Yorn Levine, representing McConaughey, applied for the protection in December 2023, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved the trademark in December 2025. The eight trademarks approved over …

Matthew McConaughey trademarks himself to fight AI

Matthew McConaughey trademarks himself to fight AI

Published by Sam Flores

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