Taylor Swift Sued Over Album Title, Accused of Trademark Infringement

LAS VEGAS - Taylor Swift is facing a lawsuit filed Monday in federal court that accuses the singer of trademark infringement related to her latest album, "The Life of a Showgirl."

Las Vegas performer Maren Wade alleges Swift named her album despite knowing about the similarity to "Confessions of a Showgirl," a column Wade has written for Las Vegas Weekly since 2014, according to the complaint. Wade later adapted the column into a live show and a book, both using the same title.

Wade obtained a registered trademark for "Confessions of a Showgirl" from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2015. The trademark was later granted "incontestable" status after years of consistent use, which gives Wade exclusive rights to the mark, the lawsuit states.

When Swift applied to trademark "The Life of a Showgirl," the application was denied due to its similarity to Wade's existing trademark, according to Wade's attorney, Jaymie Parkkinen. "They continued using it anyway, expanding it across a coordinated commercial program and distributing it through retail channels reaching millions of consumers," the lawsuit said, referring to Swift's team. Wade was never contacted about the use of the title, the complaint alleges.

The lawsuit claims Swift's album title damaged Wade's personal brand, which she had spent more than a decade developing. "She registered it. She earned it," Parkkinen said in a statement. "We have great respect for Swift's talent and success, but trademark law exists to ensure that creators at all levels can protect what they've built. That's what this case is about."

Wade's complaint argues that the similarities between "Confessions of a Showgirl" and "The Life of a Showgirl" are immediate, citing the structure and dominant phrase of both titles, as well as their use in overlapping markets and targeting of similar consumers.

In addition to trademark infringement, the suit accuses Swift and UMG Recordings of unfair competition and false designation, alleging that their actions misrepresent the origin of goods in commerce. UMG Recordings, a division of Universal Music Group, and Bravado International Group Merchandising Services, another UMG branch, are also named in the suit.

Wade is seeking unspecified damages for what she describes as "irreparable harm to her business, reputation, and goodwill," as well as a court order to prevent Swift from continuing to use the album title.

The lawsuit contends that Swift's commercial success "does not depend on the continued use of any single designation," while "Confessions of a Showgirl" is Wade's only trademark and the foundation of her professional identity.

"It is not one mark among hundreds," the complaint states. "It is the only one she has."

Representatives for Swift did not immediately respond to a request for comment.