In brief
Taylor Swift has requested the US government intervene in a trademark application by Cathay Home for 'Swift Home.' Her legal team argues that the branding could mislead consumers, wrongly implying her endorsement of the company's products. The application is being contested due to its resemblance to Swift's trademarked signature, suggesting an intent to exploit her brand's recognition.
Pop star Taylor Swift has asked the US government to stop a bedding company's attempt to trademark the phrase 'Swift Home', saying it could mislead consumers into believing she had endorsed their products.Her legal team argued that the way Cathay Home has styled the word 'Swift' in its branding closely resembled the singer's trademarked cursive signature.Cathay Home, which was founded in New York, says on its site that it sells products through major retailers and had applied for the 'Swift Home' trademark for its bedding items.The BBC has contacted Cathay Home and the teams representing Swift for comment.Swift, represented by TAS Rights Management LLC, appealed against Cathay Home's application in a document, seen by the BBC, which was issued to the US Patent and Trademark Office on Wednesday.The 'Swift Home' mark creates a 'false association' to the singer that may lead Cathay Home's customers to believe the pop star had endorsed its products in some way, the filing said. This was done with the intent of using Swift's 'goodwill and recognition' for the company's brand, her legal team said.The documents said that Swift owns federal trademarks that protected the use of her name and signature on goods, including bedding, clothes and products related to her music.Swift has filed more than 300 trademarks in the US and other jurisdictions, securing her name, initials, album titles and some lyrics. The singer-songwriter is estimated to have a net worth well above $1bn (£730 m), bolstered by her recent run of record-breaking live shows around the world.
