When Taylor Swift released her new album The Life of a Showgirl, one track immediately sparked conversation. The song titled “Father Figure” borrows from George Michael’s 1987 classic with the same name. Swift’s team showcased its knowledge of intellectual property laws through interpolation. Rather than sampling the original recording, Swift’s team chose to interpolate it by re-creating elements of Michael’s melody and lyrics within a new composition. Interpolations only require clearance from the owners of the underlying composition, and not from those who control the original sound recording.

Swift received permission from Michael’s estate to interpolate “Father Figure,” and credits the estate as co-writers. By crediting the estate, Swift ensures both legal compliance and artistic respect. This is a textbook example of how strategic rights management protects creators from potential copyright disputes while preserving goodwill among stakeholders.

The same principles apply beyond the music industry. Whether you’re developing products, designing marketing materials, or producing digital content, understanding how to license, credit, and protect creative assets adequately is essential. Missteps in copyright or intellectual property can lead to costly disputes and loss of profits, but proactive planning can turn those risks into opportunities for collaboration and brand integrity.

Our firm assists clients with all intellectual property and copyright law aspects, from licensing and ownership to enforcement and protection strategies. Swift’s approach to “Father Figure” shows that creativity and compliance can go hand in hand, and that the most innovative businesses protect what they create.