Posted on 07/28/2020 11:38:11 AM PDT by knighthawk
Rocker Neil Young said that he has changed his mind and is now considering suing President Donald Trump over the continued use of his 1989 hit single Rockin in the Free World at campaign rallies.
Neil Young said the reason he is considering is the presidents recent decision to deploy federal agents to urban areas in order to quell weeks of rioting and destruction. The musician described federal agents as thugs and said the rioting has been peaceful, despite the ample destruction to federal property and private businesses.
I am changing my mind about suing President Trump. Reconsidering. Im looking at it again, Young wrote in a post on his official site.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
First, it's doubtful Trump holds the public performance license. It's probably in the name of whatever venue Trump is appearing at. But Young could still sue Trump, license or no license. Music is copywrited and is considered a trademark for the artist who recorded it. Young can sue Trump claiming he is damaging or diluting his trademark. He could also sue Trump claiming false endorsement, using the song at Trump rallies might make people think Young is supporting him. Young can also claim that his music is a valuable right of publicity asset that a Young may be able to protect. Under this he can argue that his voice being broadcasted at a political convention is part of his image, and only he has the right to benefit from that image.
The odds of success is uncertain, especially the last one, but if Young just wants to create negative publicity for the campaign then he could pursue it till election day.
I hope Neil chokes on his hate.
Never heard of him before this thread.
He can’t selectively choose who can play his music or who can’t. It’s in the public domain, even if copyrighted. If he stated, I will no longer let anyone play my music, am removing it from the public domain, and thus no one can pay royalty fees to play it, then he’d be within his rights (unless someone else co-owns his music). That said, he can’t just pick and choose who can pay royalties and who can’t.
He’s been living with a brain of mold, and he’s gettin old..
President Trump really does bring out the lefty losers. This guy is such a has-been. I hope he gets counter-sued for being a nitwit.
This is nonsense. Clearly none of Neil Young's works are in the public domain. He would have to have been deceased for 70 years or more.
I remember Neil Young.
Only way this brain damaged has-been can get any attention. Maybe he thinks he can get an out of court settlement as a nuisance.
Good for him. They will get to it some time in February.
Same with Born in the USA, Independence Day
and several others used over the years.
Go ahead and waste your money.
I look forward to the day when Neil is lying in a burned-out basement.
Who cares? “Gay” used to be a perfectly good word, it was re-purposed to mean something completely different.
Neil Young is a Canadian as far as I know. He should keep his yap shut about American problems as far as I’m concerned. I’ve enjoyed his music, he has done things his way for a long, long time, I respect that.
Politically, he is a complete idiot, however.
This isn’t a repurposing. This is not bothering to pay attention.
Neil’s lived in America for 50+ years. And commented on American problems the whole time.
Trump should just go with the patriotic Lee Greenwood tune and forget about this stoner.
If you don’t want people to use your stuff, don’t sell it for money.
Trump should play this one next
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don’t need him around anyhow
Says the man who probably doesn't have a case.
Exactly, and sung by a pampered lib from Freehold NJ who then dumped NJ and Clarence, moved to CA and then came back to NJ after that didn't work out so well.
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