Neil Young again sues Trump campaign for playing Rockin' in the Free World at rally
Neil Young has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the Trump 47 Committee for the unauthorized use of his song 'Rockin' in the Free World' at an Ohio rally. The singer argues that the campaign knowingly used his music without a license despite his public opposition to Trump's politics.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing legal tension between artists' intellectual property rights and the use of copyrighted music in political campaign events.
Image source, Getty Images By Nardine Saad Published 30 minutes ago Rock veteran Neil Young has filed a $10m lawsuit against a fundraising committee that supports US President Donald Trump, citing "unauthorised" use of his 1989 song Rockin' in the Free World.
The Canadian-American star alleges that the Trump 47 Committee infringed on his copyright when it played the song before Trump took the stage at a 12 October rally in Ohio. Playing the song amounts to an "unauthorised public performance", the lawsuit says.
The singer-songwriter sued the Trump re-election campaign in 2020 over its use of the same song and Devil's Sidewalk. Young said the parties settled the matter shortly thereafter.
The BBC has contacted the Republican National Committee for comment.
The White House referred the BBC to the Republican National Committee for comment.
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