Taylor Swift Files to Trademark 'This Sick Beat' and Other 1989 Phrases
Want to put her lyrics on t-shirts? You're out of luck.
— -- If you want to get down to “this sick beat,” you might have to ask Taylor Swift for permission.
Swift has filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark that phrase -- a lyric from her hit song “Shake It Off” -- and a number of others related to her latest album, 1989.
Some of the other phrases include "Party Like It's 1989," "'Cause We Never Go Out of Style" -- that's a line from her current single, "Style" -- plus "Nice to Meet You. Where You Been?" and "Could Show You Incredible Things," which are both lines from her #1 hit "Blank Space."
While it may seem silly, it’s actually a savvy business move for the pop star. Swift is seeking to prevent the phrases from being used on merchandise without her permission, ensuring she’s the only one who can profit from them.
If the trademarks are granted, they will give Swift the exclusive right to have the words printed on all kinds of products, from T-shirts and stationery, to drumsticks, cell phone cases and, yes, "battery-activated glow bracelets."