Donald Trump’s use of Isaac Hayes’ song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his campaign rallies has been the subject of a legal dispute. The family of the song’s co-writer, Isaac Hayes, filed a lawsuit against Trump’s campaign, alleging that they repeatedly ignored requests to stop using the song without authorization.
As a result, a US judge has issued a temporary ruling ordering Trump’s campaign to cease using the song at rallies until the court case is settled. The ruling by Judge Thomas Thrash in Georgia prohibits the Trump campaign from playing “Hold On, I’m Coming” at their events.
However, it did not require the campaign to take down recordings of past events in which the song was used. Isaac Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, expressed support for the ruling, stating that his father would not have endorsed Donald Trump and emphasized that it was not a political issue but rather a matter of character.
In response to the ruling, Ronald Coleman, a lawyer for Mr. Trump, stated that the campaign had already agreed to stop using the song and expressed satisfaction that the court recognized the First Amendment issues involved. He also mentioned the possibility of reaching a settlement with the Hayes family before the case goes to trial.
The legal battle over the unauthorized use of music at political events is not unique to Donald Trump. Several other artists, including Abba, Foo Fighters, Jack White, Celine Dion, and Johnny Marr, have objected to the use of their songs at Republican rallies.
This legal trend signifies the ongoing struggle for musicians to protect their intellectual property rights in an increasingly politicized environment.
In the midst of these legal disputes, it is evident that the issue of unauthorized use of music by politicians remains a complex and contentious issue, with legal proceedings often extending over long periods before reaching resolution.
Story by Obaapa Janee
Source: BBC
