In the high-stakes world of global superstardom, chart-topping hits and sold-out stadiums are often accompanied by a less glamorous reality: a seemingly endless parade of lawsuits. Taylor Swift, arguably the biggest pop icon of our generation, is no stranger to the courtroom. But just as the world prepares for the grand finale of her record-breaking tour, a new legal bombshell threatens to derail one of the year’s most anticipated pop culture events.

The Breaking News: A Threat to the “End of an Era”

A Florida poet named Kimberly Morasco has filed an emergency motion for a preliminary injunction, attempting to block the release of Taylor Swift’s upcoming docuseries, The End of an Era. The six-part series, scheduled to hit Disney+ on December 12, promises an intimate look at the inner workings of the Eras Tour. However, Morasco claims the docuseries—and lyrics spanning albums from Lover to The Tortured Poets Department—infringe on her copyright.

Morasco alleges that Swift stole “creative elements” and poetry from her works. This isn’t Morasco’s first attempt; a previous lawsuit against Swift’s production company was dismissed, but she has returned with renewed vigor, aiming to hit pause on a global entertainment phenomenon. Swift’s legal team has previously dismissed these claims as “utterly frivolous,” yet the timing of this injunction adds a layer of dramatic tension that even a Swift song couldn’t predict.

While we wait to see if the show will go on, it’s the perfect time to look back at the “Era of Lawsuits.” This isn’t the first time someone has tried to take a piece of the Swift empire. Here are five other wild legal battles Taylor Swift has fought—and how she shook them all off.

1. The $1 Victory: David Mueller (2013-2017)

Perhaps the most famous and culturally significant of Swift’s legal battles was her case against radio DJ David Mueller. The saga began in 2013 during the Red Tour in Denver, where Mueller groped Swift during a meet-and-greet photo op. Two years later, after losing his job, Mueller audaciously sued Swift for millions, claiming defamation.

Taylor didn’t just defend herself; she counter-sued for assault and battery. In a powerful move that resonated with women worldwide, she sought only a symbolic $1 in damages. Her testimony was sharp and unflinching. When asked if she felt guilty about Mueller losing his job, she famously replied, “I didn’t allow your client to put his hand up my skirt.”

The jury sided with Taylor in 2017. She won her single dollar, proving that for her, it was never about the money—it was about justice and setting a precedent for victims of sexual assault.

2. Haters Gonna Sue: The Jesse Graham Case (2015)

In 2015, R&B singer Jesse Graham sued Swift for a staggering $42 million. His claim? That he owned the phrases “haters gone hate” and “players gone play,” which he used in a 2013 song. He alleged that Swift’s mega-hit “Shake It Off” stole his intellectual property.

The legal reality check came from U.S. District Court Judge Gail Standish, who dismissed the case with a ruling that became a viral sensation itself. The judge wove Swift’s own lyrics into the dismissal, writing, “At present, the Court is not saying that Braham can never, ever, ever get his case back in court. But, for now, we have got problems, and the Court is not sure Braham can solve them.” It was a legal mic drop that left Swift’s bank account—and lyrics—intact.

3. The Long Haul: Sean Hall and Nathan Butler (2017-2022)

While Jesse Graham’s case was quickly dismissed, another lawsuit over “Shake It Off” proved much stickier. Songwriters Sean Hall and Nathan Butler, who wrote 3LW’s 2001 hit “Playas Gon’ Play,” sued Swift in 2017. They argued that her chorus was too similar to their lyrics: “Playas, they gonna play / And haters, they gonna hate.”

Taylor’s team argued that these were common phrases found in playground chants and everyday language, stating, “I don’t need a permission slip to talk like a human being.” The case dragged on for five grueling years, narrowly missing a public trial. Just weeks before the 2022 court date, the parties reached a settlement. The terms remain confidential, and the writing credits on the song didn’t change, allowing Swift to walk away with her catalogue preserved.

4. Theme Park Drama: Evermore Park (2021)

When Taylor released her indie-folk sister album Evermore in late 2020, a Utah fantasy theme park named Evermore Park took offense. They sued her for $2 million, claiming her album title infringed on their trademark and buried their online search results. They even argued her merchandise copied their aesthetic.

In a classic “Uno Reverse” card maneuver, Swift’s lawyers dug into the park’s operations and counter-sued. They discovered that the park had been using Taylor’s music (along with tracks from other artists) on their grounds without proper licensing fees. Faced with the reality of their own copyright infringement, the park agreed to drop the lawsuit. Both sides walked away with no money exchanged, and Evermore remained Evermore.

5. The Lover Book: Teresa La Dart (2022)

In 2022, author Teresa La Dart filed a lawsuit claiming that the companion book for Swift’s Lover album ripped off the design of her 2010 self-published poetry book, also titled Lover. She pointed to the pastel color scheme and the concept of a “recollection of past years” as evidence of theft.

Swift’s attorney, Doug Baldridge, didn’t mince words, calling the lawsuit “legally and factually baseless” and a case that “never should have been filed.” The pressure worked. By July 2023, La Dart voluntarily dismissed the case permanently. It was another instance where a generic concept tried to claim ownership over Swift’s creative output, only to dissolve when faced with a serious legal defense.

The Verdict

From radio DJs to theme parks, and now to poets targeting her Disney+ docuseries, Taylor Swift has faced a relentless stream of legal challenges. Yet, through it all, she has maintained her reputation, her fortune, and her artistic freedom. As the December 12 release of The End of an Era approaches, all eyes are on the courtroom once again. But if history is any indicator, betting against Taylor Swift’s legal team is a risky gamble.