Rock & Roll superstar, Neil Young, is suing Trump due to breach in copyright laws by playing in political campaigns and events.
Neil Young has filed a lawsuit against the American president for copyright infringement. Trump used Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World and Devil’s Sidewalk at the Tulsa presidential rally without the proper license or rights. This is not the only time where Young has spoken out over the unlawful use of his songs as Trump has used the rockstar’s music since 2015. The lawsuit is asking a complete stop in the use of his songs and the maximum amount of $150,000 per copyright infringement. Lawyers have also stated “Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
Young is not the first artist to express his contempt as The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Rihanna and the family of the late Tom Petty have either criticised or issued cease-and-desists letters to stop playing their songs at political rallies and events. This lawsuit also follows an open letter by artists including Mick Jagger and Lorde who have advocated for political parties to properly obtain rights that are played at rallies and in commercials.
Trump’s party has continued to use the artists’ song despite persistent requests and the court decisions can take several months, meaning it could come after the 2020 election.
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