A performer in Las Vegas has filed a lawsuit against pop superstar Taylor Swift, alleging that the title and concept of her 2025 album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' were in fact originally conceived by the performer herself.
According to a complaint filed this Monday in a California federal court, Las Vegas writer and entertainer Maren Wade is suing Taylor Swift and UMG Recordings, part of Universal Music Group, for alleged trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition.
Maren's lawyer stated that Maren has spent more than a decade building the 'Confessions of a Showgirl' brand, and that the purpose of trademark law is to protect the achievements of creators at all levels. Maren is seeking damages and is asking the court to prohibit Taylor Swift from continuing to market works under the name 'The Life of a Showgirl.'
Maren told the court that since 2014, she has written a column called 'Confessions of a Showgirl' for Las Vegas Weekly, sharing her experiences as a performer. According to her lawyer, she registered this brand as a trademark in 2015 and later expanded it into a podcast, live performances, books, as well as television and theater projects.
The complaint further claims that Taylor Swift applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to register 'The Life of a Showgirl,' but the application was rejected because the name was deemed too similar to Maren's trademark and likely to cause confusion. Nonetheless, Maren alleges that Taylor Swift and her team are still using this name extensively, placing it on merchandise, labels, and packaging, and using it for brand identification in retail channels, specifically targeting the same audience that Maren has worked hard to develop over many years. Her lawyer argues that these actions are not merely creative choices, but business decisions that come with legal consequences. As of now, Taylor Swift's team has not publicly responded to the lawsuit.
News source: 壹苹新闻网