American-Canadian singer-songwriter, Neil Young has taken legal action against US President Donald Trump for playing his songs at re-election political rallies and events.
Similarly, On June 28th, The Rolling Stones also threatened legal action against US President Donald Trump to use their song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” at campaign rallies.
Accordance with the statement, On Tuesday, A complaint filed in US District Court in Manhattan against the US President, Young filed the appeal for playing his song Rockin’ in the Free World and Devil’s Sidewalk many times at rallies and political events.
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The Reason Behind Why Neil Young Sues Donald Trump
The singer mentioned, ‘he has complained about Trump’s use of his songs since 2015, and that the marketing campaign had “wilfully” ignored him regardless of missing a license. He had also objected when Trump played his music while visiting Mount Rushmore on July 3.
“This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing,” Young’s lawyers said in the complaint. “However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
The singer, Young is now officially a US citizen after having lived in the country for decades, is looking for damages of up to $150,000 (£114,400) per infringement.
In keeping with music rights group BMI, common music licenses issued to live performance halls and different venues don’t cover political rallies. Political candidates should get hold of a separate Political Entities Licence, which provides them entry to 15 million songs. The Trump marketing campaign does have such a license.
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However, artists have the right to take their music off the listing. The Rolling Stones have performed so, though Young has not explicitly mentioned whether or not he also has.
Last month, dozens of artists including Aerosmith, Rosanne Cash, Green Day, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Elton John, Linkin Park, Lorde, Pearl Jam and Sia joined an open letter calling on politicians to acquire permission before taking part in their music at a marketing campaign and political occasions.
