Neil Young Files $10 Million Copyright Lawsuit Against Trump's Political Committee
1 hour ago
Rock musician Neil Young has filed a $10 million lawsuit against President Donald Trump's political committee, alleging the unauthorized use of his 1989 hit "Rockin' in the Free World" at campaign rallies.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Virginia, names Trump 47 Committee Inc. and accuses the organization of repeatedly playing Young's music without permission.
According to the complaint, the song was used as Trump's walk-up music during an October 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio. Young alleges the recording was also played numerous times at other campaign events ahead of the November midterm elections.
The singer argues that the unauthorized use of his music creates a misleading impression that he supports Trump and his political agenda.
The lawsuit describes "Rockin' in the Free World" as a song whose message is "the opposite of everything" Trump stands for.
Young's attorneys contend that the repeated use of the recording has damaged the musician's reputation and brand by associating his work with political positions he opposes.
The lawsuit also revisits an earlier dispute between Young and Trump's campaign.
In 2020, Young filed a copyright infringement lawsuit over the campaign's use of his music, including "Rockin' in the Free World."
According to the new complaint, that dispute resulted in an agreement that the campaign would not use the song again without permission.
Young now alleges that Trump's political operation violated that agreement by continuing to play the recording at rallies without obtaining the necessary license.
The musician is seeking $10 million in damages and a court order prohibiting further unauthorized use of the song.
The case raises questions about the use of copyrighted music at political events, where campaigns may rely on public performance licenses to play songs.
However, disputes can arise over whether those licenses cover particular uses or whether a copyright holder has excluded certain works from the licensing arrangements.
Young has been an outspoken critic of Trump for years and has previously objected to his music being associated with the president's political campaigns.
Other prominent musicians have also challenged the use of their songs at political rallies, contributing to ongoing disputes over music licensing and artists' rights.
The lawsuit comes just one week before the November 3 midterm elections, as Trump continues campaigning for Republican candidates across the country.
The allegations have not been resolved in court, and the outcome of Young's latest legal challenge remains pending.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Virginia, names Trump 47 Committee Inc. and accuses the organization of repeatedly playing Young's music without permission.
According to the complaint, the song was used as Trump's walk-up music during an October 12 rally in Youngstown, Ohio. Young alleges the recording was also played numerous times at other campaign events ahead of the November midterm elections.
The singer argues that the unauthorized use of his music creates a misleading impression that he supports Trump and his political agenda.
The lawsuit describes "Rockin' in the Free World" as a song whose message is "the opposite of everything" Trump stands for.
Young's attorneys contend that the repeated use of the recording has damaged the musician's reputation and brand by associating his work with political positions he opposes.
The lawsuit also revisits an earlier dispute between Young and Trump's campaign.
In 2020, Young filed a copyright infringement lawsuit over the campaign's use of his music, including "Rockin' in the Free World."
According to the new complaint, that dispute resulted in an agreement that the campaign would not use the song again without permission.
Young now alleges that Trump's political operation violated that agreement by continuing to play the recording at rallies without obtaining the necessary license.
The musician is seeking $10 million in damages and a court order prohibiting further unauthorized use of the song.
The case raises questions about the use of copyrighted music at political events, where campaigns may rely on public performance licenses to play songs.
However, disputes can arise over whether those licenses cover particular uses or whether a copyright holder has excluded certain works from the licensing arrangements.
Young has been an outspoken critic of Trump for years and has previously objected to his music being associated with the president's political campaigns.
Other prominent musicians have also challenged the use of their songs at political rallies, contributing to ongoing disputes over music licensing and artists' rights.
The lawsuit comes just one week before the November 3 midterm elections, as Trump continues campaigning for Republican candidates across the country.
The allegations have not been resolved in court, and the outcome of Young's latest legal challenge remains pending.
