Recent News: The Isaac Hayes Estate is suing Donald Trump for $5 million for unauthorized song usage.

Recent News: The Isaac Hayes Estate is suing Donald Trump for $5 million for unauthorized song usage…

Isaac Hayes’ family has threatened to sue Donald Trump for using the song “Hold On, I’m Comin” at campaign rallies without permission.
The Isaac Hayes Estate is threatening to sue former President Donald Trump for $3 million in licensing costs if he continues to play the artist’s music at his campaign rallies. Isaac Hayes III, the son of Hayes, released a copy of a copyright infringement notice that was sent to Trump regarding the unapproved use of the soul duo Sam & Dave’s song “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” which was composed by Hayes and David Porter. On August 10, 2008, 16 years ago, Hayes passed away.

In addition to his ongoing unauthorized use of my father’s music, Hayes III stated on Instagram, “Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class—not to mention his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric.” “We will act quickly to put an end to this behavior; it will no longer be tolerated.”

The song has been used without permission at political gatherings for the past two years, and the estate is threatening to file a lawsuit for 134 counts of copyright infringement. The notification also threatens “further legal action” if the campaign doesn’t stop utilizing the song, takes down any videos that feature it, and issues a public disclaimer by Friday.
James Walker, the family’s attorney, claims that Trump violated copyright “wilfully and brazenly” and that he still plays the music at rallies “despite being asked repeatedly not to engage in such illegal use.” Walker asserts that the song has been played so often that the $3 million in fees requested is “heavily discounted.” In the event that the matter is not settled and a formal lawsuit is brought, the family will demand $150,000.

The list of songs that Trump is allowed to play at his rallies is getting less and smaller, as Hayes’ family is now among several artists and their estates who have asked that the Republican nominee stop utilizing their work. This includes the estates of Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Celine Dion, Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco, Sinead O’Connor, Tom Petty, and Prince.