Taylor Swift To Trademark Casual Sayings As She Gets Called ‘Nazi Barbie’

Taylor Swift has previously revealed that she would like to be a bit more spontaneous in the year 2016. The singer admitted that she’s very controlling when it comes to planning and protecting her career and image. But since the new year is days away, Swift plans to end the year with a bang by trademarking casual phrases.

Reports claim that Taylor Swift, 25, wants to trademark the fan-made phrase “Swiftmas” and “1989,” the name of her latest album. This is Swift’s recent attempts to stop others from using her phrases on her merchandise. “Swiftmas” is the phrase the singer’s fans use her random acts of kindness.

Earlier this year, Taylor Swift trademark many of her songs lyrics, including “this sick beat,” “shake it off,” “nice to meet you; where you been,” and “party like it’s 1989.” The singer has submitted her requests to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 3, according to BBC News. Taylor has also added the song “Blank Space” and “And I’ll write your name,” to the already long list of requests. In addition, the singer wants to trademark the phrase “A girl named girl,” which is said to be a novel that Taylor wrote when she was 15-years-old, which remains unpublished.

If all of Swift’s requests are granted, the trademark will prevent others from using her phrases on accessories, bags, clothing, posters, stickers, and other types of merchandise. But Fiona McBride, a trademark lawyer at Withers & Rogers, told BBC News that Swift’s latest bid may work against her.

“While she may well be granted protection for a stylised use of the number 1989 on her album and distinctive terms such as ‘Swiftmas’, it will be very difficult to completely monopolise a song lyric and prevent others from using it.”

In fact, they think that the singer’s attempts to trademark her phrases and song lyrics are all part of a publicity stunt. McBride added that it would be more difficult for Swift to request trademark rights in the European market.

As the singer tries to trademark every aspect of her career, famed feminist Camille Paglia slammed Swift and her squad in a publication. In her essay for the The Hollywood Reporter, she called Swift an “obnoxious Nazi Barbie.” She claimed the “Bad Blood” singer uses her famous friends as “props” for her career.

“In our wide-open modern era of independent careers, girl squads can help women advance if they avoid presenting a silly, regressive public image — as in the tittering, tongues-out mugging of Swift’s bear-hugging posse. Swift herself should retire that obnoxious Nazi Barbie routine of wheeling out friends and celebrities as performance props.”

This isn’t the only famous figure who has recently slammed Taylor and her girl squad. Girl Meets World star Rowan Blanchard has addressed the issues with so-called girl squad like Taylor’s group of friends. It doesn’t look like Rowan, 14, has plans to join Swift’s squad anytime soon. She told Just Jared Jr. she’s against the use of the phrases “girl squad” or “squad goals” because it makes feminism look “one-dimensional.” Rowan doesn’t have any issue with having a group of girlfriends, it’s the issues she takes with the phrases that society uses.

“Of course female friendship is a beautiful thing. It’s insanely powerful. Sisterhood is something so valid and important when you are growing up that I literally think the essence of it should be taught in schools. But, the ‘squads’ we see in the media are very polarizing. Feminism and friendship are supposed to be inclusive, and most of these ‘squads’ are strictly exclusive.”

Blanchard concluded: ” There’s so much more than that. ‘Squad goals’ can polarize anyone who is not white, thin, tall and always happy.”

Both Swift and her friends have previously slammed the accusations that their squad is like something out of the movie, Mean Girls. They all insist that they hang out and actually support and love one another. But like with her high-profile relationship, Swift has since halted the social media promotion of her famous friendships.

What are your thoughts on Taylor Swift? Do you think she needs to trademark every aspect of her career? And do you agree with Camille Paglia and Rowan Blanchard’s thoughts about her girl squad being very un-feminist? Sound off below in the comments section.

[Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images]