By Tasnim Oyshi
Staff Writer
Las Vegas showgirl Maren Flagg, known professionally as Maren Wade, filed a lawsuit against Taylor Swift in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on March 30. Wade claimed the title of Swift’s newest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” was too similar to her 2014 column for Las Vegas Weekly, titled “Confessions of a Showgirl.”
Wade registered and was named the owner of the trademark, “Confessions of a Showgirl,” in 2015. According to NBC News, the lawsuit stated, “Both share the same structure, the same dominant phrase, and the same overall commercial impression.”
In addition, the two products are competitors in “overlapping markets” that target the same audience. In her complaint, Wade also asserted that Swift allegedly knew of the titles’ similarity prior to releasing her album, according to CBS News.
While Swift’s album is mainly about her relationship with fiancé Travis Kelce and her struggles with fame, Wade’s column contains anecdotes of her personal experiences as a showgirl. After its release, she had broadened the column into a book, a podcast and a touring live production.
“Her trademark covers live stage performances, theatrical productions and TV, among other things,” states an article in the Hollywood Reporter.
When Swift released her album October of last year, she became known for the “Showgirl” brand. The complaint stated, “Within weeks, the designation was affixed to consumer goods, stamped onto labels, tags, and packaging, and deployed as a source identifier across retail channels — all directed at the same audience Plaintiff had spent years cultivating.”
Swift had previously attempted to register “The Life of a Showgirl” but was rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for being too similar to Wade’s trademark, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The phrase “of a Showgirl” could confuse consumers who might think the two are related.
Wade made the claim that this could damage her own brand, making people assume she copied Swift. “We have great respect for Swift’s talent and success, but trademark law exists to ensure that creators at all levels can protect what they’ve built,” Jaymie Parkkinen, Wade’s attorney, said in a statement.
Wade had previously shown support for Swift’s album in an Instagram Reel, with the caption, “In my showgirl era. #TS12.” According to NBC News, she said in another video, “People that are like, ‘Oh, I don’t like Taylor Swift’ — OK girl, if you’re not fun, just say that.”
Now, Wade is seeking compensation from Swift, in addition to a jury trial. “Wade asks the court to permanently prevent Swift and her companies from using ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ as a brand name on products or services, as well as to hand over to Wade all profits earned from the sale of goods under the ‘Life of a Showgirl’ branding,” stated an article by NBC News.
Wade’s lawsuit mentioned Swift’s familiarity with trademark law as “they are among its most vigorous enforcers, having filed multiple federal actions to seize goods from vendors selling trademarked merchandise near concert venues,” according to NBC News. TAS Rights Management, which manages Swift’s trademarks, and Universal Music Group, who Swift is currently signed with, have not commented yet.
