JUDGE ORDERS TRUMP CAMPAIGN TO STOP PLAYING ISAAC HAYES’ SONG AT RALLIES
By Edna-UCLIQ
A US judge has ordered Donald Trump’s campaign to stop using “Hold On, I’m Coming” at rallies. The lawsuit was filed by Isaac Hayes’ family.
Judge Thomas Thrash’s ruling is temporary. It bans the song’s future use until the case is resolved. The judge did not order the removal of existing recordings featuring the song.
Isaac Hayes III, the son of the late songwriter, welcomed the ruling. He spoke outside the courthouse in Atlanta.
“My father would not have endorsed Trump,” he said. “This is not a political issue. This is a character issue.” Hayes’ family had previously requested the campaign stop using the song. They claimed it was used 134 times after their initial request.
Ronald Coleman, Trump’s lawyer, responded to the ruling. “We agreed to cease further use of the song,” he stated.
Trump’s campaign has since switched to using “YMCA” by the Village People. Coleman noted, “We’re glad the court didn’t order the takedown of existing videos.” He also mentioned the possibility of an out-of-court settlement.
The Hayes estate demands $3 million in licensing fees for the song’s use. Hayes co-wrote the song with Dave Porter in 1966.
Hayes won Grammys and an Oscar later in his career. His estate contends that the Trump campaign’s use was unauthorized.
Other artists have also objected to their music being used by politicians. Abba, Foo Fighters, and Celine Dion are among those who have protested recently. Eddy Grant is suing Trump over his song “Electric Avenue.”
The case is set to be heard this Friday. Grant claims $300,000 in damages for an unauthorized use. Trump’s lawyers argue that Grant doesn’t hold the song’s copyright.
Legal battles over music rights are common and often lengthy. Many artists struggle to stop their music from being used in political contexts.
