Chicago Business Litigation Lawyer Blog
Musicians have been trying for years to control whether and which politicians may play their music at events. Many see their efforts as a natural reaction to a legitimate concern with having their art associated with someone whose views may not align with their own. As seen in a recently filed lawsuit by Neil Young against President Trump’s reelection campaign, musicians are trying out new strategies.
There is no love lost between Young and President Trump. The President has been using Young’s songs at rallies and events ever since he announced his campaign in 2015. This never sat well with Young who expressed his displeasure numerous times online and in interviews. Young’s posts were laced with frustration as he conceded that “legally he has the right to” but added, “however it goes against my wishes.” On election day in 2018, Neil Young posted a frustrated statement about President Trump and his continued use of Young’s music at events.
Young’s gripe with Trump’s use of his music is no recent phenomenon. Musicians and songwriters have balked when politicians play their songs at public events for decades. A famous example is Bruce Springsteen’s objection to Ronald Reagan’s campaign’s use of “Born in the U.S.A.” at campaign events in 1984. Numerous other artists have objected to political co-opting of their music over the intervening years.
Young’s recently filed lawsuit takes issue with President Trump’s use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and another song, “Devil’s Sidewalk,” at the President’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma in June. In his suit, the musician accused the President’s campaign of copyright infringement for playing the songs without a license. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the campaign from using the songs as well as an award of statutory damages. In his complaint, Young contends that he “in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.” Continue reading ›