Donald Trump Loses Legal Battle Over Unauthorized Use of Eddy Grant's 'Electric Avenue'
Shaleah Craighead/Wikimedia Commons. MusicNewsWeb.

Donald Trump Loses Legal Battle Over Unauthorized Use of Eddy Grant's 'Electric Avenue'

3 days ago

news/

informative/

negative

  • Donald Trump is liable for damages over the unauthorized use of Eddy Grant's 'Electric Avenue'.

    • A federal judge ruled Trump's use of the song violated copyright laws.
    • Eddy Grant sued Trump in 2020 over a campaign video featuring the song.

    • The video, posted to Trump's then Twitter account, was viewed some 13.7 million times before the social network took it down.

    • Judge John G. Koeltl rejected the 'fair use' defense argument.

    • Grant's lawsuit demanded $300 000, with final damages still to be decided.

    • Recently, Trump's campaign was ordered to cease using works by Isaac Hayes.

0
Taylor Swift Endorses Kamala Harris After Trump Debate
Image credits: Lawrence Jackson/Wikimedia Commons. taylorswift/Instagram.

Taylor Swift Endorses Kamala Harris After Trump Debate

1 week ago

positive/

news/

informative

  • Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for president shortly after the US vice president's debate with Donald Trump.

    • On Instagram, Swift praised Harris as a "steady-handed, gifted" leader fighting for crucial abortion, in vitro fertilization and LGBTQ+ rights.

    • Swift also criticized Trump's fake AI images showing her endorsing him.

    • "I've done my research, and I’ve made my choice," she wrote. "Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make." 

    • Swift's endorsement follows her support for Biden-Harris in 2020.

    • A CNN poll found that the majority of respondent believed Harris outperformed Trump in the debate.

    • Swift urged first-time voters to register and vote early, and signed off her post with "Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady," taking a jab at comments made by Trump's running mate, J.D. Vance.

0
Judge Orders Trump to Cease Using Isaac Hayes Song 'Hold On, I'm Coming' at Rallies
Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons. John H. White/Wikimedia Commons.

Judge Orders Trump to Cease Using Isaac Hayes Song 'Hold On, I'm Coming' at Rallies

2 weeks ago

news/

informative/

neutral

  • A federal judge in Georgia has barred the Donald Trump campaign from using an Isaac Hayes song at rallies.
    • Judge Thomas Thrash issued a temporary injunction on September 3.
    • Hayes's estate sued a few weeks ago, claiming unauthorized and illegal use of the song.
    • Trump's campaign regularly used 'Hold On, I'm Coming' at rallies, including the RNC.
    • The estate seeks $3m in licensing fees from the repeated use of the song.
    • Trump's lawyer, Ronald Coleman, said the campaign had stopped using the song before the ruling.
    • Other artists like ABBA, Bruce Springsteen, Céline Dion and Jack White have also objected to Trump using their music.
0
ABBA Tell Trump Campaign to Stop Using Their Music at Rallies
Shaleah Craighead/Wikimedia Commons. WIPO/Wikimedia Commons.

ABBA Tell Trump Campaign to Stop Using Their Music at Rallies

3 weeks ago

news/

informative/

negative

  • ABBA have asked Donald Trump to stop using their music at campaign rallies.
    • ABBA's record label, Universal Music, confirmed no permission was granted.
    • Trump's team said it had a license through BMI and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
    • Recently, Foo Fighters and Celine Dion also protested Trump’s use of their music, with Jack White threatening he would sue Trump for his use of the White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army'.
    • Artists can legally request their music not be used if it violates 'right of publicity' laws.
    • Similar disputes arose between Trump and other musicians over music usage in 2016.
    • ABBA discovered that their music, including 'The Winner Takes it All', was played at a Minnesota rally in July.
3

Explore Your Interests

Create an account and enjoy content that interests you with your personalized feed