Many people are curious about the judge’s recent order for Donald Trump regarding Isaac Hayes’ song “Hold On, I’m Comin’.” This legal dispute has garnered significant attention, reflecting ongoing issues between artists and political campaigns over music rights.
Here’s a brief overview of the judge’s ruling, the main arguments, and its implications for music rights in political events.
Judge orders Donald Trump to stop using Isaac Hayes’ song
A U.S. judge has ordered Donald Trump’s campaign to stop using the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” at rallies. This ruling follows a lawsuit from the family of Isaac Hayes, who co-wrote the song.
Judge Thomas Thrash issued a temporary injunction banning Trump’s campaign from using the song until the court resolves the lawsuit. The Hayes estate alleges that Trump’s campaign played the song, popularized by Sam & Dave in 1966, at rallies 134 times despite multiple requests to stop. (via BBC)
Despite the ban on future use, the judge did not order the removal of existing videos featuring the song due to First Amendment concerns. Ronald Coleman, the Trump campaign’s attorney, noted that the campaign had already agreed to stop using the song further. He welcomed the court’s decision not to require the removal of past videos.
Isaac Hayes III, the son of Isaac Hayes, celebrated the ruling. He emphasized that his father would not have supported Trump, framing the dispute as a “character issue” rather than a political one. The Hayes estate is seeking $3 million in licensing fees for the song’s unauthorized use. (via Rolling Stone)
This case highlights the broader challenge artists face when preventing political figures from using their music without permission. Similar disputes have involved artists like Abba, the Foo Fighters, and Celine Dion, who have objected to the use of their songs at Trump’s events.
These legal battles often last for years and have had mixed success in halting unauthorized usage. They highlight the challenges of enforcing copyright protections in political campaigns.
