The family of the late Isaac Hayes is taking a stand against former President Donald Trump over his unauthorized use of the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” at his rallies. Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, has issued a copyright infringement notice demanding $3 million in licensing fees from Trump’s campaign.
“Hold On, I’m Comin’,” performed by Sam & Dave and co-written by Hayes and David Porter, has been featured multiple times at Trump’s events, sparking outrage from the Hayes family. They argue that Trump’s use of the song without permission is not only illegal but also a sign of disrespect.
Isaac Hayes Estate Sues Donald Trump for Using ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ at Rallies https://t.co/11R5iXasbF via @YahooNews
— Jon Pitt (@jontwitt) August 12, 2024
On Instagram, Isaac Hayes III expressed his frustration, stating, “Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father’s music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric. This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it.”
The family’s legal team is exploring the possibility of suing for 134 counts of copyright infringement. The notice demands that Trump’s campaign immediately stop using the song, remove videos featuring it, and issue a public apology by Friday, or face further legal action.
The lawyer representing the Hayes family alleges that Trump’s use of the song was deliberate and continued despite numerous requests to stop. They argue that the $3 million fee is a discounted rate considering the frequency of the song’s use. If the dispute goes to court, the family intends to seek $150,000 in damages for each unauthorized use.
Isaac Hayes’ Family Demands $3 Million From Donald Trump Over Song Use at Rally https://t.co/BDMiPiWG6v
— Andre Lawton (@Lawtonandre7) August 12, 2024
Key Points:
i. Isaac Hayes’ family is threatening to sue Donald Trump for using the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” at his rallies without permission.
ii. A copyright infringement notice demands $3 million in licensing fees and requests that the Trump campaign stop using the song and remove related videos.
iii. The family is considering 134 counts of infringement and may seek $150,000 in damages for each unauthorized use if the issue is not resolved.
iv. Isaac Hayes III criticized Trump for both the unauthorized use of his father’s music and other personal misconducts.
v. This legal threat follows similar disputes with other artists’ estates over Trump’s use of their music at campaign events.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
