Woman Suing Taylor Swift Gets a New Deadline in Case
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon partially granted Florida artist Kimberly Marasco's motion for an extension to serve musician Taylor Swift with legal documents in a copyright lawsuit after Marasco said she was having trouble finding Swift.
Marasco asked the court to extend the time to serve, authorize alternative methods of service and reimburse costs associated with service attempts.
Cannon granted Marasco's request for an extension to serve Swift until June 15. The motion was denied without prejudice on all other grounds.
Why It Matters
Copyright lawsuits against major recording artists have become increasingly frequent, reflecting the heightened scrutiny over creative ownership and intellectual property in the music industry. Marasco's lawsuit alleges Swift and her collaborators used Marasco's poetry without permission.
Taylor Swift arrives at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Taylor Swift arrives at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Marasco, who is representing herself in the case, has documented her various attempts to serve Swift in legal filings. If Marasco is unable to serve Swift with the lawsuit, she runs the risk of Swift being dropped from the case or the entire suit being dismissed.
Newsweek reached out to Marasco and a representative for Swift for comment.
What To Know
Cannon noted that Marasco appeared to have shown due diligence in her various service attempts, as described in the motion, but emphasized that Marasco must comply with all procedural and jurisdictional requirements of Florida statutes should she pursue substituted service in the future.
Marasco has detailed unsuccessful attempts to serve Swift, including reaching out to sheriff's offices and process servers in California, Tennessee, New York and Rhode Island.
In California, security at a residence associated with Swift turned away process servers multiple times, claiming the singer was not home. In Tennessee, a service effort yielded an affidavit of non-service, with the Davidson County sheriff stating Swift owns property at the address in question but does not reside there.
The Rhode Island Sheriff's Office warned Marasco's process server would be arrested for trespassing if further served attempts were made at the location.
In a memorandum opposing Marasco's motion, attorneys for the defendants James Douglas Baldridge and Katherine Wright Morrone said Marasco had failed to follow "obvious leads" on Swift's whereabouts.
"For example, despite public reporting that Artist was in New York City in March
2025, Plaintiff attempted service on the other side of the country in California," the attorneys wrote. "Similarly, Plaintiff attempted service at a Rhode Island property in April 2025, despite being aware that the house was undergoing 'major' renovations (and had been for months)."
The case, filed by Marasco in February, alleges that Taylor Swift, Universal Music Group, Republic Records, Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner used creative material from Marasco's published poetry collections without authorization. The complaint cites songs and music videos from Swift's albums Lover, Folklore, Midnights and The Tortured Poets Department as allegedly infringing works. Marasco is seeking $25 million in damages in this lawsuit.
She is also involved in a related, earlier suit regarding similar claims.
Marasco's previous attempts to serve Swift in the original lawsuit failed, leading to Swift being dismissed by Cannon in December 2024. The claims against the singer's production company remain unresolved.
Baldridge and Wright Morrone referenced Marasco's first attempt to sue Swift in their memorandum.
"In what is now Plaintiff's second frivolous lawsuit against Artist, Plaintiff has again failed to perfect service. Instead, Plaintiff asks the court for a range of relief without meeting any of the required burdens to show it is warranted," Baldridge and Wright Morrone said.
In the latest suit, Cannon has instructed all defendants to not respond until everyone has been served.
Amid rising costs, Marasco also sought permission to file court documents electronically, arguing that mailing and travel fees had become "burdensome." Cannon denied this request, finding Marasco ineligible for electronic filing under current court rules.
What People Are Saying
Marasco previously told Newsweek: "Printing documents using my HP Inkjet printer incurs approximately $120 for ink and paper, and the frequent need to purchase supplies adds to the financial burden. Additionally, traveling to the courthouse for in-person submissions is time-intensive, and mailing documents introduces further delays."
Baldridge and Wright Morrone, in a memorandum: "While Plaintiff has made service attempts at various residences across the country, critically, she appears to have ignored public reporting as to where Artist was located and therefore failed to follow several 'obvious leads.'"
What Happens Next
Cannon has required Marasco to serve Taylor Swift by June 15 to keep the suit active. The proceedings remain paused until all defendants are properly served.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
37 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Released Superstar Makes Bold Claim About WWE Run
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In one of her first interviews since her WWE release, Lacey Lane, known to fans as Kayden Carter, has spoken candidly about her creative frustrations with the company. The former champion claimed that she often felt "held back" and that her success was limited because she was not one of WWE's "hand chosen" talents. Speaking on Busted Open Radio (H/T to the newly minted free agent was open about losing her "spark" in the WWE system. She also expressed her excitement for the future. WWE Star Feeling Creatively Held Back Lane explained that she felt unable to fully express herself creatively during her time in WWE. She is now eager to remind the world of her abilities as a singles competitor. "I feel like I have so much to offer, and I feel like I wasn't able to showcase that," she said. "I was so much of a Spitfire, and that same passion, that same drive, is still there." She also detailed her frustrations with the booking of the women's tag team division. "I'm not quite sure why it's such a taboo thing where everyone's like, 'oh, like, women's tag wrestling isn't anything,' and I'm like, it's fun," she said. A WWE logo is shown on a screen before a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A WWE logo is shown on a screen before a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, "Hand Chosen" Theory Ultimately, Lane believes that no matter how well she and her partner, Katana Chance, performed, they were unable to break through a creative ceiling. She feels this was because they were not among the select few talents earmarked for major pushes. "If you're not the hand chosen, it doesn't matter what you do," she stated. She revealed this frustration led her to email "Road Dogg" Brian James, pleading for a single opportunity on a premium live event, an opportunity that never came. This lack of clear feedback or opportunity led to an emotional "breaking point" for her and her partner after a match in London. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match A Decorated But Frustrating WWE Run As Kayden Carter in WWE, Lane was part of one of the most popular and long-running female tag teams in recent memory. She and her partner, Katana Chance, were known for their exciting, high-energy, and innovative in-ring style that made them fan favorites in NXT. They held both the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship and, briefly, the main roster WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Despite their success and popularity, the team was often subject to the same inconsistent booking that has plagued the women's tag team division for years. Their release in May 2025 was a surprise to many fans. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
37 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Man Tries To Make Presentation, Cat Decides 'It's Her Time To Shine'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The moment a cat took over during her owner's practice presentation for school left viewers in stitches. An August 16 TikTok video posted by user @kayboltsmith showed a husband, Nathan Smith, standing in front of the camera with his wife, Kayla, sitting on a padded table. Nathan needed to film a presentation for his physical therapy program and used Kayla as his patient. But with a "needy kitten" in the house, those plans got interrupted. In the midst of recording his presentation, the couple's cat, Bee, began circling around the table. Their mouths dropped when she hopped up. Trying to keep the laughter in, Kayla used her hand to cover her mouth. Knowing there could be distractions as a physical therapist, the show went on and Nathan continued to present. Meanwhile, Bee climbed over Kayla and made herself comfortable. The text on the video read: "It's her time to shine." The couple lost it when the cat began cleaning herself, angling herself perfectly in the frame. Kayla told Newsweek via TikTok that the cat's interruption went on for about five minutes before her husband finally picked Bee up and shooed her off-screen. Screenshots from an August 16 TikTok video of a couple's cat interrupting the husband's recorded presentation for physical therapy school. Screenshots from an August 16 TikTok video of a couple's cat interrupting the husband's recorded presentation for physical therapy school. @kayboltsmith/TikTok "We were not surprised as Bee is a needy kitten who always likes to be with us when we are doing something," she said. "This was our first PT video we had to make since adopting her so I knew something was about to happen!" Luckily, Nathan was not presenting live. He had the option to rerecord, but decided this version would work. "He said his professor is chill and will likely find it funny," she said. Viewer Reactions People are obsessed with the cat's interest in the couple's activities, and as of Wednesday, the TikTok video reached over 27,800 views and 5,839 likes. "She just wanted to be involved," a viewer wrote, while a second person commented: "No, but I wish my PT's office had a cat." Another added: "I would be giving bonus points for the cat assisting." Many laughed at how Nathan "scooped her up" after she made herself comfortable on the table and others wondered what grade he received. Kayla responded: "I told him he's gonna get points off for twisting her spine. Bad PT." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Broadway Week: Full List of Shows In September 2-for-1 Ticket Offer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Theatergoers will be able to score 2-for-1 tickets for 24 different Broadway shows from September 8 and September 21. The deals are available twice a year in an attempt to make Broadway more accessible, regardless of income. "By running this event twice a year, Broadway fosters community engagement and ensures the arts remain within reach, even in an inflationary environment," a financial expert told Newsweek. Why It Matters Broadway Week's 2-for-1 tickets have been available for limited times since 2011. Since the average cost of a Broadway show ticket ranges from $100 to $150, the 2-for-1 deal can significantly lower the cost burden for those who might not attend a Broadway show otherwise. Broadway theaters stand closed along an empty street in the theater district on June 30, 2020, in New York City. Broadway theaters stand closed along an empty street in the theater district on June 30, 2020, in New York To Know There are 24 shows included in the 2-for-1 Broadway week deal. This includes: & Juliet Aladdin The Book of Mormon Buena Vista Social Club Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club Chicago Death Becomes Her The Great Gatsby Hadestown Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Hell's Kitchen Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride The Lion King Mamma Mia! Maybe Happy Ending Moulin Rouge! The Musical MJ The Musical Oh, Mary! Operation Mincemeat The Outsiders Punch Six The Musical Stranger Things: The First Shadow Wicked Six of those productions, Buena Vista Social Club, Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride, Mamma Mia!, Operation Mincemeat, The Outsiders, Punch, and Stranger Things: The First Shadow, will be included in Broadway Week's special deal for the first time. "From groundbreaking musicals to timeless classics, Broadway is the heartbeat of New York City, and with NYC Broadway Week, we are, once again, making sure that more New Yorkers and visitors can enjoy the magic of the stage," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. Broadway has regained momentum in recent years following the coronavirus pandemic, with attendance now exceeding pre-pandemic levels, said Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast. "The deal not only fuels excitement but also gives more people access to classic shows and new productions," Thompson said. What People Are Saying Julie Coker, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions told ABC 7: "NYC Broadway Week is a celebrated tradition in our city, providing visitors with access to world-class productions found nowhere else in the world. Since its inception in 2011, the program has provided significant support to New York City's dynamic Broadway theater industry, generating over $196 million in revenue." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "At a time when the cost of living is high, this initiative makes theater more accessible for audiences who may not otherwise afford it. By running this event twice a year, Broadway fosters community engagement and ensures the arts remain within reach, even in an inflationary environment." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "This deal has been offered in regular intervals in order to attract more fans to come see shows and has been largely successful. Long before current inflationary problems, theater tickets had been creeping up for years in pricing, as the cost of running a show skyrocketed." What Happens Next With the deal going live for shows next month, many viewers will be able to introduce new patrons of the arts into the Broadway scene, Beene said. "It's hard to develop long-term fans when the minimum price to entry is so high," Beene said. "Offering 2-for-1 ticketing deals gives current fans a means for inviting someone new to the Broadway scene for free and hopefully creating a future patron from them. It's a savvy business tactic."
