Italy’s Meloni seeks EU trademark for her voice to combat AI deepfakes
In short
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has applied to trademark her voice with the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office, filing a four-second recording of herself saying “Io sono Giorgia Meloni,” according to EU records. The move, first reported by La Repubblica and confirmed by an anonymous Italian official, aims to protect against AI-generated deepfakes. Meloni has warned that deepfakes can deceive and harm anyone, and similar concerns have been raised by figures like Taylor Swift.
Read the full story 2 min read
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has applied to trademark her voice with the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office, seeking to protect herself against AI-generated deepfakes, according to EU office records on Monday. The filing includes a four-second audio recording of Meloni repeating “Io sono Giorgia Meloni” (“I am Giorgia Meloni”), the records show. The move was first reported by Italian daily La Repubblica and confirmed by an Italian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. [ 1 , 2 ]
The application comes as governments, regulators and public figures grapple with the rapid spread of artificial intelligence tools capable of convincingly replicating voices and images. Meloni has warned that deepfakes can “deceive, manipulate and harm anyone,” urging users to verify online content before sharing it. “I can defend myself, but many others cannot,” she said in May, after fake images of her surfaced online. [ 1 , 2 ]
Manipulated images of Meloni have repeatedly circulated online in recent years and have at times been passed off as authentic, including a fake image showing her sitting on a bed in her underwear, according to the reports. [ 1 , 2 ]
The recorded phrase echoes Meloni’s famous declaration at a 2019 political rally: “I am Giorgia, I am a woman, I am a mother, I am Italian, I am Christian.” The slogan became widely known in Italy and inspired a viral dance remix. “Io sono Giorgia” was also the title of her 2021 autobiography. [ 1 , 2 ]
Other public figures have faced similar issues. Pop star Taylor Swift was among the most prominent targets of deepfakes in 2024, after sexually explicit AI-generated images falsely depicting her spread widely online, fueling calls for stronger legal protections against unauthorized digital replicas. Matthew McConaughey was one of the first major celebrities to use trademark registrations to secure rights to voice clips and motion elements, and fellow actor Scarlett Johansson also raised concerns about AI-generated voices. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The filing is a high-profile example of public figures turning to trademark law to counter AI-generated deepfakes, an issue that governments and regulators are struggling with. It follows deepfake incidents involving Taylor Swift and others that have fueled calls for stronger legal protections against unauthorized digital replicas.
Key facts
- Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has applied to trademark her voice with the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The application includes a four-second audio recording of Meloni repeating “Io sono Giorgia Meloni” (“I am Giorgia Meloni”). [ 1 , 2 ]
- The filing was first reported by Italian daily La Repubblica and confirmed by an Italian official who spoke on condition of anonymity. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Meloni has said deepfakes can “deceive, manipulate and harm anyone” and urged users to verify online content before sharing it. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Manipulated images of Meloni have circulated online, including a fake image showing her sitting on a bed in her underwear. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Pop star Taylor Swift was a target of sexually explicit AI-generated deepfakes in 2024, fueling calls for stronger legal protections. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Meloni filed an application to trademark her voice with the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The application includes a four-second audio recording of Meloni saying “Io sono Giorgia Meloni.” [ 1 , 2 ]
- The filing was first reported by La Repubblica and confirmed by an anonymous Italian official. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The current status of Meloni’s trademark application with the EUIPO, including whether it has been granted or is still pending. Documents do not state the application’s status or any decision by the EU Intellectual Property Office.
- The exact date the application was filed. The documents refer to EU office records on Monday but do not give a filing date.
- Whether Meloni’s office or the EUIPO has issued any further public comment. Only an anonymous Italian official is cited as confirming the filing; no public statement from Meloni’s office or EUIPO is included.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Associated Press reports Meloni filed an application to trademark her voice with the EU Intellectual Property Office, according to agency records. [ 1 ]
- The Seattle Times publishes the same AP report. [ 2 ]
- AP publishes a Spanish-language version of the report. [ 3 ]
- Reuters reports that Meloni seeks an EU trademark for her voice amid AI deepfake risks. [ 4 ]