Giorgia Meloni Applies to Trademark Voice Against AI Deepfakes

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni applied to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on October 5, 2026, to trademark her voice. The application features a four-second audio recording of Meloni repeating the phrase "Io sono Giorgia" ("I am Giorgia"), a slogan linked to her political campaigns and 2021 autobiography.

The filing covers three service categories: downloadable multimedia content, cultural activities, and the organization of political events. Meloni seeks this protection to combat AI-generated deepfakes, noting that such tools are "dangerous" and can "deceive, manipulate and strike anyone." While she stated that she can defend herself, she argued that "many others cannot."

This legal move comes as Italy prepares for general elections next year and follows a history of digital harassment. Meloni previously launched a civil action in 2024 against a man accused of creating deepfake pornographic images of her and has warned against AI-generated images of herself in lingerie.

The EUIPO is currently examining the application. Italian media indicate that while a trademark may not physically prevent the creation of cloned voices, it would provide the legal grounds necessary to seek damages, remove unlawful material, and initiate criminal proceedings across Europe.