Taylor Swift's victory in reclaiming her masters offers a blueprint for protecting intellectual property

The backstory: when Taylor Swift lost control of her work

By 2019, Swift was already one of the most successful artists on the planet. She had millions of fans, record-breaking albums and global tours under her belt. But what she didn’t have was ownership of the work that made her famous.

That year, her former label Big Machine Records was sold to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings. Swift said she had long tried to acquire her masters but was denied a path to ownership that didn’t come with strings attached. Instead, her catalogue, including every song, recording and associated creative work from her first six studio albums was sold without her consent.

The public response was swift and intense. Swifties rallied. Fellow artists spoke out. But rather than fight in court, Swift took a different path. She started over, re-recording every track, releasing “Taylor’s Versions,” and taking back the narrative, one album at a time.

Then, in 2020, the rights to her catalogue were sold again, this time to private equity firm Shamrock Capital. And this month, in a deal reported by The Guardian and People, Swift bought it all back. Not just the albums. Everything: the music videos, album art, footage and previously unreleased songs. It was, finally, all hers.

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Why this isn’t just a story for fans

Swift’s battle resonated not just because of who she is, but because of what it revealed. Even one of the most powerful entertainers in the world could lose control of her own work.

The situation is far more common, and often irreversible, for smaller creators and business owners. Musicians, developers, designers and startup founders can easily find themselves in contracts that give others control of their intellectual property (IP), especially early in their careers when leverage is limited.

Swift’s comeback isn’t just a feel-good ending. It’s a guidebook.

From music mogul to IP master: Lessons in creative control

1. Own what you build, or know exactly who does

If you’re an entrepreneur, your product, your brand, your technology and your content are intellectual property. It’s your value. Just like Swift’s songs and videos, your IP can be licensed, sold or leveraged — but only if you own it in the first place.

2. Nail the contract from the beginning

Susan Abramovitch, a partner at Gowling WLG and a leading Canadian entertainment lawyer, has long advised creators to take IP terms seriously. “Understanding the long-term implications of IP clauses is essential,” she wrote in an article examining Swift’s legal strategy.

Before you sign any deal, consult a lawyer who understands IP. It’s not just about fairness. It's about future-proofing your business.

3. Losing control doesn’t have to be the end

Swift’s re-recording project wasn’t just about defiance, it was a legal and strategic masterstroke. By releasing new versions of her old music, she undercut the market value of the originals and redirected attention to the versions she owned.

That principle applies in other industries too. If you lose control of your brand or content, alternatives like rebranding, rebuilding or creating a better version can help reclaim your value.

4. Licensing can work, but it’s not ownership

Many startups and creators rely on licensing for growth, but it's important to understand the limits. A license is temporary. Ownership is forever. When licensing your IP, keep the terms specific, renewable and within your control. Don’t hand over the crown jewels without a plan to get them back.

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Swift changed the conversation on creator rights

Even legal scholars have taken note. “She fundamentally shifted the value proposition around master recordings,” said Professor Rebecca Greenstein of Harvard Law School. “Swift demonstrated that an artist can use market forces to regain power without ever going to court.”

She didn’t just buy back her past. She reframed the future for creators.

“You need to calm down”... but only after you make sure you're legally protected

Not everyone can do what Taylor Swift did. It took millions of dollars, years of strategic planning and a devoted fanbase. But every entrepreneur and creator can take one critical lesson from her journey: Control matters.

If you're launching a business, building a brand or creating something new, don’t wait to think about intellectual property. Protect it early. Fight for it if you must. And if you lose it, know that there may still be a way back.

Because owning your work isn’t just about pride. It’s about power, legacy and the freedom to decide what your future looks like.

Sources

1. Gowling: Never ever getting back together: Taylor Swift re-records back catalogue (September 3, 2019)

2. Harvard Law Today: Taylor’s Version of copyright (April 23, 2024)