Neil Young Files Second Copyright Lawsuit Over Rally Anthem
Rock musician Neil Young has returned to federal court, filing a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Trump 47 Committee, Inc., according to. The action centers on the unauthorized playback of his 1989 track “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a political rally in Youngstown, Ohio, held on October 12.
Attorneys for the dual Canadian-American rocker filed the complaint in the Eastern District of Virginia. The legal filing points directly to a breach of a prior agreement reached after a 2020 legal dispute, where the campaign had settled and promised to secure proper licensing before utilizing the composition.
Inside the New $10 Million Legal Complaint
The newly filed five-page complaint seeks $10 million in damages, attorney’s fees, and a permanent injunction barring the fundraising group from playing “Rockin’ in the Free World” or any other musical composition owned by Young at public events. Music Business Worldwide noted that the filing does not disclose how the $10-million figure was calculated.
The lawsuit describes the track as a blistering anthem that contrasts the hollow promises of political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by the poor, homeless, and forgotten. The legal text asserts that the song stands as the exact opposite of everything Donald J. Trump represents. MusicRadar highlighted that the song's origins trace back to an off-the-cuff remark made by guitarist Frank “Poncho” Sampedro when a Soviet Union tour was canceled in the late 1980s.
A History of Disputed Playlist Additions
Friction between the artist and the political campaign stretches back over a decade. As MusicBusiness Worldwide reported, Young first objected to the use of the track in June 2015 when it was played at Trump Tower during the announcement of the first presidential campaign. Although the team dropped the song initially, it reappeared at events in 2020 alongside another track titled “Devil’s Sidewalk.”
That 2020 usage prompted Young to file an earlier lawsuit in Manhattan federal court against Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. According to court filings, the campaign asserted no defense and quickly settled, promising never to use the anthem again without a license and direct permission. Legal experts note that while performance rights organizations like ASCAP provide blanket licenses, guidelines urge campaigns to seek separate permission from songwriters and artists directly.
Neither the White House nor the Trump 47 committee provided an immediate response to requests for comment regarding the latest litigation.
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