Ask Onix
Trademark application withdrawn over weekend
Cathay Home, a company specializing in home goods, has abandoned its attempt to trademark the brand "Swift Home" for bedding products following an appeal by pop star Taylor Swift to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Updated 16 February 2026 - The decision was confirmed by the firm's representatives over the weekend.
Company cites non-essential business reasons
A spokesperson for Cathay Home told the BBC that the disputed trademark was not "essential to its business," leading to the withdrawal of the application. The company sells home goods through major retailers and operates offices in North America and China.
Ting Geng, a lawyer for Cathay Home from Geng and Associates, stated that the decision was made after evaluating the circumstances, calling it "practical and commercially sensible."
Geng also noted that the firm had previously reached a "consent-to-coexist agreement" with Swift's team regarding another registered "Swift Home" trademark.
Swift's team raises concerns over brand confusion
Swift's legal team filed a notice with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on 11 February, arguing that Cathay Home's trademark application could mislead consumers into believing the singer had endorsed the products.
The appeal highlighted similarities between the styling of the word "Swift" in Cathay Home's branding and Swift's own trademarked cursive mark. Swift's team contended that the mark created a "false association" and was intended to leverage the singer's "goodwill and recognition."
According to the documents, Swift holds federal trademarks protecting her name and designs across various goods, including bedding, clothing, and music-related products. The artist has filed over 300 trademarks in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, covering her name, initials, album titles, and even some lyrics.
Financial and legal context
Swift's net worth is estimated to exceed $1 billion (£730 million), bolstered by her recent record-breaking global tour. Her extensive trademark portfolio reflects efforts to protect her brand across multiple industries.
The BBC has reached out to Swift's team for further comment but has not yet received a response.
What happens next
With the trademark application withdrawn, Cathay Home's bedding line will no longer pursue the "Swift Home" branding. The company has not indicated whether it will explore alternative branding strategies for its products.
