THE family of the late soul icon Isaac Hayes has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s campaign, demanding $3 million for the unauthorised use of the classic song Hold On I’m Coming at various campaign rallies.
Isaac Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, took to Instagram to publicly announce the legal action. He shared a letter from the family’s attorneys at Walker & Associates addressed to Trump and his campaign team. The letter claims that Trump’s campaign has repeatedly used the song without permission since 2022, violating the family’s rights.
Family’s demands
In the legal letter, the Hayes family outlines several demands:
- Immediate cessation of the song’s use at all campaign events.
- Removal of all videos featuring the song from campaign materials, websites, and media platforms worldwide.
- A public statement across social media clarifying that the use of Isaac Hayes’ music was unauthorised and that the family does not endorse Trump or his campaign.
- Payment of $3 million in licensing fees by August 16, 2024.
Allegations of copyright infringement
The lawsuit accuses Trump and his campaign of wilful copyright infringement, alleging that the song has been used without authorisation over 134 times, despite repeated cease-and-desist requests. The most recent unauthorised use reportedly occurred at a Trump rally in Montana.
Isaac Hayes III, who also runs the Atlanta-based social media platform Fanbase, has been vocal about how his father was exploited during his career. He has openly criticised Trump, accusing him of lacking integrity and using racist rhetoric.
Legal action and timeline
James Walker Jr., the attorney representing the Hayes family, stated that Trump has five days to pay the demanded fee, or the family will move forward with further legal action. Walker Jr. noted that the family had previously asked Trump to stop using the song on multiple occasions, but their requests were ignored.
As of August 12, 2024, neither the Trump campaign nor the Republican National Committee (RNC) has commented on the lawsuit.
Broader implications
This legal action highlights the ongoing conflict between political campaigns and artists over the unauthorised use of music. The Hayes family’s lawsuit serves as a warning about the potential legal consequences of ignoring copyright laws and cease-and-desist orders. As this case unfolds, it could set a significant precedent for future political campaigns and their use of music.
The lawsuit from Isaac Hayes’ family against the Trump campaign underscores the importance of respecting artists’ rights, even in the context of political events. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for how music is used in political campaigns in the future.
