Overview
- Maren Wade filed the lawsuit Monday in California federal court, naming Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, UMG Recordings, and Bravado as defendants.
- She alleges trademark infringement, false designation, and unfair competition, and seeks a court order barring use of the phrase along with unspecified damages.
- Wade owns the federally registered “Confessions of a Showgirl” mark, first registered in 2015 and now incontestable, which covers live performances, theatrical productions, television, and related uses.
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office refused and then suspended Swift’s bid to register “The Life of a Showgirl,” citing likely confusion with Wade’s existing mark for similar entertainment services.
- The complaint argues Swift’s album rollout and merchandising created “reverse confusion,” saying a dominant brand can drown out a smaller senior mark, while Swift’s side has not offered substantive public comment.