Taylor Swift is facing a trademark infringement lawsuit in California federal court over her latest album, \u201cThe Life of a Showgirl.\u201d<\/p>\n
The suit was filed by Maren Wade, a former \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d contestant and Las Vegas Weekly writer, who started a column called Confessions of a Showgirl about her experiences in the entertainment industry in 2014. Since then, she has expanded her brand into live performances and a podcast, and holds a trademark that covers live stage shows, television and theater productions, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In her complaint, Wade accuses Swift and UMG Recordings of false designation and unfair competition. She is seeking damages, as well as an injunction banning Swift from continuing to use the phrase \u201cThe Life of a Showgirl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA solo performer who spent twelve years building a brand shouldn\u2019t have to watch it disappear because someone bigger came along,\u201d Wade\u2019s attorney, Jaymie Parkkinen, said in a statement provided to the Hollywood Reporter.<\/p>\n
Swift\u2019s album, released in October, quickly became a commercial success, selling 4 million units in its first week and spending 12 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the lawsuit, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office previously declined Swift\u2019s attempt to register \u201cThe Life of a Showgirl,\u201d citing similarities to Wade\u2019s mark. The complaint argues that the shared use of the phrase \u201cof a showgirl\u201d in connection to the entertainment industry could confuse consumers into thinking they are affiliated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wade further alleges that Swift\u2019s use of the title is undermining her brand and misleading audiences into thinking she is imitating the pop star, rather than the other way around.<\/p>\n
Despite taking legal action, Wade\u2019s social media suggests that she herself is a Swiftie. In September, she posted an Instagram reel<\/a> of herself getting into a car while wearing a pink showgirl costume set to Swift\u2019s hit song \u201cShake it Off.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn my showgirl era #TS12,\u201d she captioned it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Several of her other posts feature the hashtag \u201c#thelifeofashowgirl\u201d and are set to Swift\u2019s music, including tracks from the album at the center of the dispute.<\/p>\n