Neil Young Seeks $10 Million Over Trump Rally Song Use
Neil Young is seeking $10 million from Trump 47 Committee Inc. over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” at political rallies. His lawsuit cites a rally in…
Neil Young is seeking $10 million from Trump 47 Committee Inc. over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” at political rallies, reopening a dispute that ended in a settlement in 2020. The lawsuit cites the song’s use at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, and asks a federal court to block further political performances.
Young filed the copyright infringement suit on Monday in the U.S. district court for the eastern district of Virginia, according to Variety, which reviewed the filing. The complaint also alleges the song has played at other rallies aimed at encouraging Republican votes in the upcoming midterm elections.
A rally performance reignited the dispute
The filing points to an October 12 rally in Youngstown, where the song played shortly before Donald Trump took the stage. Billboard also reported that Young’s suit seeks $10 million in damages for the use at that event.
Young says he did not grant the committee a public performance license and would not authorize the use. The complaint alleges Trump knew a license was required.
The song played anyway.
In the complaint, Young describes “Rockin’ in the Free World” as “a blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of American political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless and forgotten.” It argues that the song’s themes conflict with Trump’s political positions.
Young says a previous settlement was not honored
Young previously sued a different Trump political organization in 2020 over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and another song he wrote. The new filing says Donald J. Trump for President Inc. asserted no defense and settled shortly after it was served, promising not to use the song again without Young’s license and permission.
The current case names Trump 47 Committee Inc., not the organization involved in the earlier lawsuit. Variety reported that the new filing does not specify the financial or other terms of the 2020 settlement.
Young is asking the court for an injunction against further public performance of the song for political purposes, as well as damages. The complaint says the use has harmed his reputation and brand by suggesting he supports Trump.
That allegation goes to the dispute’s practical stakes for musicians: the case asks the court to decide whether the committee can keep using a recording at campaign events after the artist says no and points to a prior settlement. Any injunction could stop further political use of the song while the damages claim addresses the performances already cited in the filing.
The White House did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment. Billboard also reported that it did not immediately receive a response to its request for comment on Monday.
Young’s complaint states: “Donald J. Trump (‘Trump’) is now and at the time of all rallies this year was personally aware that a license would be required to play the Song at rallies and that Young has not, and would not, grant the required license.”
Source: deadline.com
