Isaac Hayes’ Family Wins Lawsuit Against Trump Campaign Over Song Use
A US judge has ruled in favor of Isaac Hayes’ family in a lawsuit against Donald Trump’s campaign for unauthorized use of the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his rallies. The ruling comes after the family of the song’s co-writer, Isaac Hayes, filed a lawsuit against the campaign for repeatedly playing the song without permission.
The temporary ruling by Judge Thomas Thrash in Georgia prohibits the campaign from playing the song until the court case is settled. However, the judge did not order the campaign to take down recordings of past events where the song was used.
Isaac Hayes III, son of the late musician, expressed his approval of the ruling, stating that his father would not have endorsed Trump. He emphasized that the issue is not political but a matter of character.
The campaign’s lawyer, Ronald Coleman, stated that they had already agreed to stop using the song and expressed willingness to work towards a settlement with the Hayes family.
The case highlights a trend of musicians objecting to the use of their songs at political events. Artists like Abba, Foo Fighters, and Celine Dion have raised objections in recent months. Legal battles over song use by politicians often drag on for years, as seen in a case involving British singer Eddy Grant and Trump’s use of his song “Electric Avenue.”
The ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting artists’ rights and the legal implications of using copyrighted material without permission.
