Copyright Dispute: Neil Young Seeks $10 Million From Trump Coalition
The musician alleges unlicensed use of 'Rockin’ in the Free World' at a rally, claiming the track opposes the president's political identity.
By Nicholas Campbell ·
Neil Young has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump 47 Coalition, seeking $10 million in damages for the unlicensed use of his song 'Rockin’ in the Free World' at a recent political rally. The complaint, submitted on Monday, asserts that the coalition infringed on Young's copyright by playing the track without a license.
The legal action marks the second time in six years that Young has litigated the use of this specific song. In 2020, Young sued the Donald J. Trump for President committee over a similar incident. The new filing notes that the 2020 case was settled shortly after service, with Trump's team promising never to use the song again without permission.
Young’s legal team describes the song in the complaint as a "blistering anthem" that contrasts political rhetoric with the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities. The suit argues that the lyrics depict street-level portraits of hardship, including a mother discarding a baby and garbage piling in the shadows of prosperity. The document concludes that the song is "the opposite of everything that Donald J. Trump stands for."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the new claim. Young, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, has been a vocal critic of the administration. Last year, he expressed concern that Trump might bar him from returning to the country during a European tour.
This lawsuit places Young among other musicians who have clashed with the president, including Bruce Springsteen, Jack White, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo. The core of the current dispute centers on the financial and symbolic weight of the unlicensed performance. Young’s team seeks the full $10 million to compensate for the infringement.
The case is now in federal court. The next step will involve the coalition's response to the complaint. No trial date has been set, and the parties have not announced any intention to settle before the litigation process begins.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
