Neil Young sues Trump campaign committee for $10 million over unauthorized use of song
Musician Neil Young has filed a $10 million copyright lawsuit against President Donald Trump's campaign committee, alleging the party played his song "Rockin' in the Free World" at rallies without permission.
Legendary musician Neil Young has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, seeking $10 million in damages from the Trump 47 Committee. The complaint alleges that the committee played Young’s 1989 song "Rockin' in the Free World" at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on Oct. 12, and at other events intended to mobilize Republican voters, without obtaining a required license.
According to the filing, President Donald Trump was aware that a license was needed and that Young had not granted one. The suit also names five additional defendants, identified only as "Doe," whom Young believes share liability for the alleged infringement.
Young previously sued another Trump-related entity, Donald J. Trump for President Inc., in Manhattan federal court over the same song and another of his compositions. That case was settled after the corporation pledged not to use the songs without a license.
"In short, the Song is the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for," the lawsuit states.
The White House directed inquiries to the Republican National Committee, which has not responded. CNBC’s request for comment from the Trump 47 Committee and Young’s attorneys also went unanswered.
The Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown was also the site of a separate incident in which a woman was assaulted after confronting the president. Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene is investigating three individuals in connection with that event.