Taylor Swift’s long-awaited Reputation (Taylor’s Version) might be under threat, and not just from music industry politics.
Her ability to legally own and use the album title is under threat. The issue? Trademark law. According to recent filings, Swift must prove commercial use of the trademarked album title Reputation (Taylor’s Version) by August 16, 2025, or she could lose her exclusive rights to it. That’s right, if she doesn’t show receipts in time, like actual album sales or merch in the marketplace, the trademark could be declared abandoned, and someone else could technically swoop in and claim it.
That looming deadline means Swift needs to release the album, and soon. Based on how trademark deadlines work, experts are predicting we’ll see Reputation (Taylor’s Version) drop no later than October 2025. And if she doesn’t make it? She’d have to start the whole trademark filing process over again, which would be a major setback in her re-recording journey that’s been building since she started reclaiming her masters.
Swift’s legal team has already filed the final extension for the trademarks Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version). These extensions only go so far. Initially, these applications were filed with an “intent to use” status, which is standard for artists planning projects down the line. But now, it’s showtime, Swift has to put the work out there or lose legal rights to the name she’s been steadily teasing for more than a year.
And tease she has. Back in August 2024, during her Eras Tour stop in London, Swift wore a moon-and-star-themed Zuhair Murad bodysuit that die-hard fans instantly recognized as a Reputation-coded look. She’s done this before, hinting at upcoming releases through specific wardrobe choices, and the internet never misses a clue.
She’s also dropped several hints through the media. Snippets of Delicate (Taylor’s Version) and Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor’s Version) have already been featured in Prime Video’s Wilderness and The Summer I Turned Pretty, which proves at least some of the re-recording work is already complete. That makes this trademark situation feel even more intense, if the music is ready, why hasn’t it dropped yet?
Some Swifties believe the hold-up is strategic. Many are betting on a symbolic release date, like New Year’s Day 2025, which would reference the final track of the original Reputation album. Others are watching the Chinese zodiac, claiming the Year of the Snake, which began January 29, 2025, is the perfect backdrop for a Reputation revival, considering the heavy snake symbolism used throughout that era.
But the reality is Swift is now on a legal deadline. This isn’t just about artistic timing anymore. It’s about securing ownership, protecting intellectual property, and making sure no one else can cash in on her iconic album. While Swift has the star power and legal muscle to refile for the trademark if it gets abandoned, it’s a hassle she probably wants to avoid, and one that could mess with the tight rollout strategy her fans have come to expect.
If Reputation (Taylor’s Version) isn’t released, or if she can’t prove it was used commercially in time, it could delay not just that album’s official release but the whole mission behind the Taylor’s Version re-recordings. And while Swift has pulled off some serious surprises before, this time the clock is real, and the stakes are high.
