Taylor Swift has been hit with a lawsuit by an Orange-County based clothing company called Lucky 13, for “trademark Infringement.” The company, which sells street wear clothing, has taken issue with the use of the phrase “Lucky 13” by Swift.
Despite the fact that Taylor Swift says she has always had a strong connection with the number 13, the company wants royalties and profits which it believes it is entitled to receive as a result of Swift’s merchandising efforts using the number 13.
Swift spoke to reporters about her association with the number 13, saying:
“I love the number 13. I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album went gold in 13 weeks. My first #1 song had a 13-second intro. Every time I’ve won an award I’ve been seated in either the 13th seat, the 13th row, the 13th section or row M, which is the 13th letter. Basically whenever a 13 comes up in my life, it’s a good thing,” she said.
But regardless of Taylor Swift’s clear connection with the number 13, the company contends that she ignores the intellectual rights of others: “While Swift’s merchandising and licensing team obsessively focuses on the Swift brand, it ignores the intellectual property rights of others,” it said.
The lawsuit itself claims that Swift’s conduct has been malicious and fraudulent, among other things, claiming there is “no doubt” that she has used the Lucky 13 brand to promote her own goals and for profit.
The suit held that : “Swift’s conduct has been and will continue to be malicious, fraudulent, deliberate, willfull, intentional, and in disregard of Plaintiffs’ intellectual property rights. There can be no doubt that Swift — who has an extensive trademark portfolio and numerous business and licensing partners, and whose record label is even named the ‘Big Machine’ — knows, understands and substantially profits from her carefully cultivated and meticulously managed trademarks and brand, image, and other intellectual property.”
It remains to be seen whether or not the lawsuit against Taylor Swift will be successful, and if Lucky 13 can prove that she deliberately used their brand for personal gain.