TrademarkC.D. Cal.2:26-cv-03354

Maren Flagg v. Taylor Swift

Summary

Maren Flagg sues Taylor Swift for trademark infringement in federal court.

Summary generated by AI from public docket data. Verify against the original filing before relying on it.

Deep summary (AI brief of the complaint)

# Litigation Brief: Flagg v. Swift et al. **Case No. 2:26-cv-03354 (C.D. Cal., filed Mar. 30, 2026)** --- **Plaintiff:** Maren Flagg (a/k/a Maren Wade), individual, Nevada resident; singer, songwriter, comedian, and writer. **Defendant:** Taylor Swift (individual); TAS Rights Management, LLC (TN); UMG Recordings, Inc. (DE/Santa Monica); Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc. (CA/Santa Monica). **Core allegation:** Plaintiff owns incontestable federal trademark Registration No. 4,800,625 for CONFESSIONS OF A SHOWGIRL (Cl. 41, entertainment services), in continuous use since 2014. Beginning in August 2025, Defendants adopted THE LIFE OF A SHOWGIRL as a source-identifying designation on a coordinated line of consumer merchandise, despite a USPTO refusal of their own application on likelihood-of-confusion grounds, constituting reverse confusion trademark infringement under the Lanham Act. **Asserted IP:** - U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 4,800,625 — CONFESSIONS OF A SHOWGIRL (Int'l Class 41; incontestable status under 15 U.S.C. § 1065) **Relief sought:** Injunctive relief, damages, and statewide/nationwide…

AI-generated from the filed complaint. Always verify against the original document.

Coverage vs reality meter

Coverage vs realityPress: defendant

Coverage events: 4P · 11D · 11N (339 articles)

Latest ruling: neutral (2026-07-21)

Coordinated push?

4 near-identical articles from 4 outlets ran within 1h, all plaintiff-favorable, with no court event to explain the burst. Could be a coordinated push — judge the sources.

Press coverage leans defendant-favorable; no court ruling has been classified yet. 4 near-identical articles from 4 outlets ran within 0h, all plaintiff-favorable, with no court event to explain the burst — a possible coordinated push.

Coverage breakdown — the articles behind the meter

22 plaintiff-favorable · 224 defendant-favorable · 93 neutral articles

The meter counts distinct coverage events, not articles: 4 plaintiff · 11 defendant · 11 neutral events — a burst of same-stance coverage counts once, however many outlets ran it.

Coverage sentiment vs. docket activity over time

Coverage sentiment vs. docket activity over time▲ plaintiff-favorable▼ defendant-favorable2026-03-30 · coverage 12P / 0D / 40N2026-04-06 · coverage 7P / 0D / 7N2026-04-13 · coverage 0P / 0D / 1N2026-04-20 · coverage 0P / 0D / 5N2026-04-27 · coverage 0P / 0D / 3N2026-05-04 · coverage 1P / 151D / 15N2026-05-11 · coverage 0P / 25D / 13N2026-05-18 · coverage 0P / 7D / 2N2026-05-25 · coverage 2P / 7D / 4N2026-06-01 · coverage 0P / 7D / 0N2026-06-08 · coverage 0P / 3D / 0N2026-06-22 · coverage 0P / 3D / 2N2026-06-29 · coverage 0P / 5D / 0N2026-07-06 · coverage 0P / 12D / 1N2026-07-13 · coverage 0P / 4D / 0NDocketFiled 2026-03-302026-05-13 · filing · favors plaintiff RESPONSE filed by Plaintiff Maren Flaggto Objection/Opposition (Motion related),,,,,,,,,…2026-05-26 · filing · favors defendant NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case filed by Defendants Bravado International Gr…2026-05-26 · filing · favors plaintiff Notice REGARDING DEFENDANTS NONCOMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL RULE 7-3 filed by Plaintiff Maren F…2026-05-26 · ruling · favors defendant ORDER ON DEFENDANTS' UNOPPOSED APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO FILE UNDER SEAL 38 by Judge Sere…2026-06-16 · filing · favors plaintiff FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Ser…2026-06-30 · filing · favors defendant NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint filed by Defe…2026-07-21 · ruling · favors neutral ORDER ON PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISMISS…2026-07-27 · filing · favors plaintiff STATUS REPORT RE: MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION filed by Plaintiff Maren Flagg. (P…Mar 26May 26Jul 26filingruling■ plaintiff■ defendantweekly coverage · docket events

Counsel of record

For the plaintiff
  • Independent counselJaymie Parkkinen
For the defendant
  • Venable LLPJ. Douglas Baldridge, Katherine Wright Morrone, Maria R. Sinatra +1 more
Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Docket no.
2:26-cv-03354
Nature of suit
Trademark
Judge
Serena R. Murillo
Filed
2026-03-30
Last filing
2026-07-27

Cause

15:1114 Trademark Infringement

Entities in this case

Docket entries

  1. #592026-07-27

    STATUS REPORT RE: MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION filed by Plaintiff Maren Flagg. (Parkkinen, Jaymie) (Entered: 07/27/2026)

  2. #582026-07-21

    ORDER ON PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISMISS PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT 16 44 by Judge Serena R. Murillo. Accordingly, the Court ORDERS as follows: 1. The parties shall file a joint status report as to why the Court should not deny as moot Plaintiff Maren Flagg's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Dkt. 16, considering Plaintiff has filed a First Amended Complaint, Dkt. 50, on or before August 3, 2026; and 2. Defendants' Motion to Dismiss the Complaint is DENIED as MOOT. Dkt. 44 . (lom) (Entered: 07/21/2026)

  3. #572026-06-30

    NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint filed by Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc.. Motion set for hearing on 10/7/2026 at 01:30 PM before Judge Serena R. Murillo. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of John R. Dorris, Jr., # 2 Declaration of Daniel Getz, # 3 Declaration of Matt Young, # 4 Supplement Request for Judicial Notice in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint, # 5 Exhibit 1 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 6 Exhibit 2 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 7 Exhibit 3 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 8 Exhibit 4 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 9 Exhibit 5 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 10 Exhibit 6 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 11 Exhibit 7 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 12 Exhibit 8 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 13 Exhibit 9 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 14 Exhibit 10 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 15 Exhibit 11 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 16 Exhibit 12 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 17 Exhibit 13 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 18 Exhibit 14 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 19 Exhibit 15 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 20 Exhibit 16 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 21 Exhibit 17 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 22 Exhibit 18 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 23 Exhibit 19 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 24 Exhibit 20 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 25 Exhibit 21 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 26 Exhibit 22 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 27 Exhibit 23 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 28 Exhibit 24 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 29 Exhibit 25 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 30 Exhibit 26 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 31 Exhibit 27 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 32 Exhibit 28 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 33 Exhibit 29 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 34 Exhibit 30 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 35 Exhibit 31 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 36 Declaration of Max N. Wellman, # 37 Exhibit 1 to Declaration of Max N. Wellman, # 38 Proposed Order on Defendants' Motion to Dismiss First Amended Complaint) (Wellman, Max) (Entered: 06/30/2026)

  4. #562026-06-26

    ORDER by Judge Serena R. Murillo: granting 54 Non-Resident Attorney Maria R. Sinatra APPLICATION to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc., designating Max N. Wellman as local counsel. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY (sbou) (Entered: 06/26/2026)

  5. #552026-06-26

    TRANSCRIPT ORDER for Court Smart (CS).Transcript preparation will not begin until payment has been satisfied with the transcription company. (jmo) (Entered: 06/26/2026)

  6. 2026-06-26

    Appear Pro Hac Vice

  7. #542026-06-25

    APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Maria R. Sinatra to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc. (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $450 Fee Paid, Receipt No. ACACDC-42631781) filed by Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Wellman, Max) (Entered: 06/25/2026)

  8. #532026-06-22

    NOTICE OF FILING TRANSCRIPT filed for proceedings 5/27/2026 2:00 p.m. re Transcript 52 THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (ym) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 06/22/2026)

  9. #522026-06-22

    TRANSCRIPT for proceedings held on 5/27/2026 2:00 p.m.. Court Reporter/Electronic Court Recorder: JAMS Certified Transcription, phone number (661) 609-4528. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Electronic Court Recorder before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Notice of Intent to Redact due within 7 days of this date. Redaction Request due 7/13/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 7/23/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 9/21/2026. (ym) (Entered: 06/22/2026)

  10. #512026-06-22

    TRANSCRIPT ORDER as to Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc. for Court Reporter. Court will contact Max Wellman at mnwellman@venable.com with further instructions regarding this order. Transcript preparation will not begin until payment has been satisfied with the court reporter. (Wellman, Max) (Entered: 06/22/2026)

  11. 2026-06-22

    Notice of Filing Transcript

  12. #502026-06-16

    FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT against Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Does, Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc. amending Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1, filed by Plaintiff Maren Flagg(Parkkinen, Jaymie) (Entered: 06/16/2026)

  13. #492026-05-29

    SEALED DOCUMENT Declaration of Joseph Schmidt re Order on Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal,,, 46 filed by Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc..(Wellman, Max) (Entered: 05/29/2026)

  14. #482026-05-29

    SEALED DOCUMENT Declaration of Joshua Doebler re Order on Motion for Leave to File Document Under Seal,,, 46 filed by Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc..(Wellman, Max) (Entered: 05/29/2026)

  15. #472026-05-27

    MINUTES of Motion for Preliminary Injunction 16 held before Judge Serena R. Murillo. The motion hearing is held. The Court takes the motion under submission. Separate order to issue. Attorney for Plaintiff(s): Jaymie Parkkinen. Attorney for Defendant(s): Douglas Baldridge, Katherine Morrone. Courtroom Deputy: Gabriela Garcia. Time in Court: 31 mins. Court Reporter: CourtSmart. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY (gga) (Entered: 05/27/2026)

  16. 2026-05-27

    Motion Hearing

  17. #462026-05-26

    ORDER ON DEFENDANTS' UNOPPOSED APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO FILE UNDER SEAL 38 by Judge Serena R. Murillo Granting 38 APPLICATION to Seal Document: Accordingly, the Court, having considered Defendants' Unopposed Application for Leave to File Under Seal, Dkt. 38, and related filings, Dkt. 39, 39-1, 39-2, and finding good cause therefor, hereby GRANTS the Application, Dkt. 38, and ORDERS as follows: 1. Defendants may file under seal the unredacted versions of the Declarations of Joshua Doebler and Joseph Schmidt in Support of Defendants' Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, See Dkt. 39; and 2. Redacted versions of the two aforementioned Declarations shall remain publicly filed on the Docket, See Dkt. 40, 40-96, 40-97. (bm) (Entered: 05/26/2026)

  18. #452026-05-26

    Notice REGARDING DEFENDANTS NONCOMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL RULE 7-3 filed by Plaintiff Maren Flagg. (Parkkinen, Jaymie) (Entered: 05/26/2026)

  19. #442026-05-26

    NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case filed by Defendants Bravado International Group Merchandising Services Inc., Taylor Swift, TAS Rights Management, LLC, UMG Recordings, Inc.. Motion set for hearing on 8/5/2026 at 01:30 PM before Judge Serena R. Murillo. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of John R. Dorris, Jr. in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, # 2 Supplement Request for Judicial Notice in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, # 3 Exhibit 1 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 4 Exhibit 2 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 5 Exhibit 3 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 6 Exhibit 4 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 7 Exhibit 5 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 8 Exhibit 6 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 9 Exhibit 7 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 10 Exhibit 8 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 11 Exhibit 9 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 12 Exhibit 10 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 13 Exhibit 11 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 14 Exhibit 12 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 15 Exhibit 13 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 16 Exhibit 14 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 17 Exhibit 15 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 18 Exhibit 16 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 19 Exhibit 17 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 20 Exhibit 18 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 21 Exhibit 19 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 22 Exhibit 20 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 23 Exhibit 21 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 24 Exhibit 22 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 25 Exhibit 23 to Request for Judicial Notice, # 26 Declaration of Katherine Wright Morrone in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, # 27 Exhibit A to Declaration of Katherine Wright Morrone in Support of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, # 28 Proposed Order on Defendants' Motion to Dismiss) (Wellman, Max) (Entered: 05/26/2026)

  20. #432026-05-13

    RESPONSE filed by Plaintiff Maren Flaggto Objection/Opposition (Motion related),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, [40] PLAINTIFFS RESPONSE TO DEFENDANTS EVIDENTIARY OBJECTIONS, DKT. 40-85 (Parkkinen, Jaymie)

  21. #422026-05-13

    NOTICE OF LODGING filed re Reply (Motion related),,,, [41] (Parkkinen, Jaymie)

  22. 2026-04-16

    Appear Pro Hac Vice

Docket history from CourtListener/RECAP — most recent first.

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View on CourtListener →Open in feed →Last updated 2026-08-18