A federal judge in Atlanta has ruled that Donald Trump and his campaign must stop using the song Hold On, I’m Coming while the family of one of the song’s co-writers pursues a lawsuit against the former US president over its use.
The estate of Isaac Hayes Jr filed a lawsuit last month alleging that the Republican presidential nominee, his campaign and several of his allies had infringed its copyright and should pay damages.
After a hearing on the estate’s request for an emergency preliminary injunction, US District Judge Thomas Thrash ruled that Mr Trump must stop using the song, but he denied a request to force the campaign to take down any existing videos that include the song.
Hayes, who died in 2008 aged 65, and David Porter co-wrote Hold On, I’m Coming, a 1966 hit for soul duo Sam and Dave.
Ronald Coleman, a lawyer for Mr Trump, told reporters after the hearing that the campaign had already agreed not to use the song going forward.
He said: “The campaign has no interest in annoying or hurting anyone, and if the Hayes family feels that it hurts or annoys them, that’s fine, we’re not going to force the issue.”
Mr Coleman said they were grateful that the judge agreed that it would be overstepping his power at this point in the litigation to order the campaign to take down existing videos.
Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, told reporters he is “very grateful and happy” for the judge’s decision.
“I want this to serve as an opportunity for other artists to come forward that don’t want their music used by Donald Trump or other political entities and continue to fight for music artists’ rights and copyright,” he said.
A string of artists and their heirs have objected to Mr Trump using their songs during his events.
After a Trump campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, last month featured a video of Celine Dion performing My Heart Will Go On, her team put out a statement saying the singer did not endorse that use of her song and saying “in no way is this use authorised”.
Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, John Fogerty, Neil Young, Eddy Grant, Panic! at the Disco, R.E.M. and Guns N’ Roses all objected to Mr Trump using their songs.
