Neil Young has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, against the Trump 47 Committee for allegedly infringing his copyright by playing his song 'Rockin' in the Free World' at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 12.
The lawsuit claims that the song was played multiple times at various rallies without Young's permission, which he argues is a violation of his rights as the copyright holder. Young asserts that Trump was aware that a license was necessary to use the song and that he has not granted such a license.
This is not the first time Young has taken legal action against Trump; he previously sued another Trump-related entity in 2020 for similar copyright infringements, which resulted in a settlement. The current lawsuit also names five unidentified defendants believed to be involved in the copyright infringement.
Young's song, released in 1989, is described in the lawsuit as a critique of American political rhetoric, contrasting the promises made by politicians with the realities faced by marginalized communities. The lawsuit's timing and the nature of the song's message could resonate with voters as the mid-term elections approach, potentially influencing public perception of the Trump campaign.
Additionally, the rally where the song was played was marred by a separate incident involving violence against a protester, which may further complicate the campaign's public image