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Neil Young sues Trump again over rally song use

Neil Young is taking legal action against Donald J. Trump's political action committee, Trump 47 Committee Inc., seeking $10 million (£7.5 million) in damages.

The complaint centres on the repeated use of Young's Rockin' in the Free World as the president's walk-up music at midterm election rallies, which the suit describes as copyright infringement.

It isn't the first time the two have clashed over the track. Young sued Trump in 2020 over the same unlicensed use, and that case was settled. According to the new filing, Trump has kept playing the song anyway, in breach of the earlier agreement's terms.

The suit characterises the 1989 song as a fierce anthem that sets the empty promises of American political rhetoric against the hard realities of life for the poor, the homeless and those who have been forgotten. In the filing's words, it is the opposite of everything Trump represents.

The complaint points to a performance of the song at the president's rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on 12 October, while noting that the recording has also been aired numerous times at other events aimed at drumming up Republican votes ahead of the midterms. Alongside the $10 million for the use that has already happened, Young is asking for an injunction to stop any further public performance of the song for political purposes.

Among the harms cited, the suit says Young has suffered damage to his reputation and brand because the use implies that he backs Trump in some way.

Photo: Cover Media
Source: Muzland
Added by Frank
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