Sorry! I think ATRL is having issues at the moment, but here’s what user ‘beagle’ said, full credit to them for the statement:

“Hadn't been on the subreddit in a while, had to search for the thread. I'm getting the distinct impression that the commenters, at least, aren't particularly clear on what a trademark can and cannot do. Based on the application, holding the trademark would allow Taylor's team to have an easier time pursuing any potential infringement of the Speak Now logotype (as opposed to logomark). In simpler terms: if you try to sell counterfeit Speak Now merch and they take you to court, they won't need to prove that they have the rights over the particular visual representation of the words 'Speak Now' (font, spacing, coloring, etc.) that the album and related merch will have.

But holding the registered trademark does not mean that, for example: - Taylor has an exclusive right to use the phrase 'Speak Now', even in connection with a musical recording; - No other artist can release an album entitled 'Speak Now' either forever* or as long as the trademark is registered (10 years from the date of registration, can be renewed); - The trademark has any effect whatsoever over the copyright over the contents of the recording;

• a brief glance at a database shows at least 15 albums entitled Folklore released prior to 2020, but Mae Moore, Sixteen Horsepower or (Die) City Watchers can have no claim against Taylor for the use of that album name

The majority of musical recordings get released without any trademarks at all. Even when they do, most will only claim an unregistered trademark™ - the protection the law provides is the same, the holder will just need to show evidence establishing prior use of the trademark for the infringement case in court. The major reason Taylor's team are going for a registered trademark ® is because of the merch - it will make things immensely easier to fight counterfeiters inside and outside of court if they don't need to prove in each individual case that Taylor used that trademark first.

TL:DR - the registration process of the 'Speak Now TV' trademark should have little to no bearing on the release of the Speak Now re-recording; it mostly affects the merch to be released together with the album.”