Neil Young seeks $10 million over Trump rally song use
Neil Young has filed a new copyright lawsuit against the Trump 47 Committee, seeking $10 million and an order stopping political performances of Rockin’ in the Free World. The complaint alleges unlicensed use at an October 12 rally in Ohio and elsewhere. It follows a 2020 settlement concerning the same song and another Young composition.
Arts··Evening
A new complaint targets the Trump 47 Committee
Neil Young has filed a copyright lawsuit against Trump 47 Committee Inc., a political fundraising organization supporting US President Donald Trump. The Canadian-American musician seeks 10 million dollars in damages and an injunction preventing further political performances of his 1989 song Rockin’ in the Free World. The complaint was filed on Monday in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, according to Variety, which reviewed the document.[1], [2]
Through his company Silver Fiddle Music, Young alleges the song played before Trump took the stage in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 12. He says there was neither a licence nor his permission for that performance. The five-page complaint also alleges that the recording was used at numerous other rallies encouraging Republican votes in the coming midterm elections.[1], [2]
Young alleges damage from an implied endorsement
Young argues that using his song wrongly implies he supports Trump and has damaged his reputation and brand. The complaint says Trump knew that rally use required a licence and that Young had not granted one and would not grant one. These are allegations in the new action; the coverage describes no court ruling establishing infringement. Young has long opposed Trump publicly.[1], [2]
The White House referred the BBC’s questions to the Republican National Committee, which the broadcaster contacted for comment. Its account includes no committee response. Young also wrote about the lawsuit on his website on Tuesday, referring to Trump attending his concerts in earlier decades while maintaining his objection to the political use of his music.[1]
A 2020 settlement preceded the latest suit
The earlier dispute involved a different entity, Donald J. Trump for President Inc., the reelection campaign corporation Young sued in 2020. That action concerned the same song and Devil’s Sidewalk. According to the new complaint, the corporation settled shortly after service and promised not to use Rockin’ in the Free World without permission again. The filing gives no financial or other terms of the settlement. Other musicians who have objected to Trump event uses include the Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Adele and REM, alongside Prince’s estate.[1], [2]
