Lionel Richie Files Trademark Applications for His Voice

Lionel Richie has filed four applications in the United States to trademark the sound of his voice for specific phrases from his songs, including "Hello, is it me you’re looking for?" and "Easy Like Sunday Morning." This move aims to protect his voice from potential misuse by artificial intelligence clones, a concern shared by other artists such as Taylor Swift and Matthew McConaughey, who have also sought similar protections. To secure federal registration, Richie must demonstrate that consumers associate his voice with particular goods or services. If successful, this could set a precedent for how trademark laws adapt to the challenges posed by AI technology.