Maren Wade Seeks Injunction Against Swift's 12th Album Title in Showgirl Trademark Fight
Updated
Updated · Missoula Current · May 28
Maren Wade Seeks Injunction Against Swift's 12th Album Title in Showgirl Trademark Fight
7 articles · Updated · Missoula Current · May 28
A Los Angeles federal judge took under submission Maren Wade’s bid to temporarily block Taylor Swift’s use of “The Life of a Showgirl,” the title of Swift’s 12th studio album and related merchandise.
Wade says her registered “Confessions of a Showgirl” mark—used since 2014 and trademarked in 2015—has been overwhelmed by Swift’s far larger brand, creating reverse confusion that effectively erases her identity.
Swift’s lawyers argued the album title is expressive speech protected by the First Amendment and said Wade has shown little real risk of consumer confusion, noting she waited 8 months to sue after the album’s 2025 release.
The dispute reaches beyond music because Wade says Swift’s title is being used as a source identifier for products including candles, hairbrushes and stuffed toys, while the USPTO had already declined Swift’s trademark application as confusingly similar.
Will this case change how global artists name albums and merchandise forever?
Can an artist claim First Amendment protection for a title they also tried to trademark?
Is a small performer a victim of infringement or just 'glomming on' to a superstar's fame?