Neil Young has sued Trump 47 Committee Inc. for $10 million, alleging that Donald Trump’s political action committee continued to use his 1989 song Rockin’ In the Free World at rallies without authorization. Young is also seeking an injunction to stop further public performances of the song for political purposes.
The copyright infringement lawsuit, filed Monday, October 26, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, cites the song’s use at a Trump rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on October 12. It alleges the song was also played at other rallies “designed to encourage Republican votes in the upcoming mid-term elections.”
Young previously brought a copyright infringement claim in 2020 against Donald J. Trump for President Inc. That corporation settled the case immediately and agreed never to use Young’s songs again without a license and his permission. The new lawsuit alleges that the continued use breaches that settlement.
Young also alleges that the unauthorized use has harmed his reputation and brand by implying that he supports Trump.
