While this technique is nothing new in the art world, it brings about the question of originality. Is all art inspired? And if so, is it something that can be trademarked?

Swift is not one to shy away from copyright. In October 2014, Swift's legal team filed to trademark several phrases from her new album such as "This Sick Beat" and "Party Like it's 1989." The latter was likely written with Prince's "Party like it's 1999" on the mind. Her trademarks now total at one hundred and twenty-one.

In these murky waters, it can be hard to differentiate between derivative work and downright copying. Swift appears to regard her music as art, having told TIME that, "Music is art, and art is important and rare. Important, rare things are valuable. Valuable things should be paid for." If this is true, then where do we draw the line to decide when credit is do?

Beyond the legality of Swift's situation, is it moral for her team to use artists' work as inspiration while not allowing others to use hers?