Donald Trump has lost a legal battle over using Eddy Grant‘s song ‘Electric Avenue’ without permission.
Trump used a 40-second clip of the song in a video during his 2020 presidential campaign. The video was viewed 13.7 million times before Twitter, now known as X, took it down.
A federal judge in Manhattan ruled that Trump breached Grant’s copyright for his 1983 hit and now is liable for damages as well as payment of the singer’s legal fees.
Trump’s lawyers argued that the Twitter video was shielded under copyright’s fair use doctrine, which allows for the use of protected works in certain situations. However, Judge John G. Koeltl rejected argument rejected that argument on Friday (September 13).
Grant’s lawyer, Brian D. Caplan, told Business Insider: “As a staunch believer of artist’s rights and the ability to control their creative output, Mr. Grant believes that the decision will help others in their fight against the unauthorized use of sound recordings and musical compositions.
“Politicians are not above the law and the court reaffirmed that.”
This is not the first time Trump has been in legal trouble regarding the unauthorised use of music in his campaign. Earlier this week, The White Stripes sued him for copyright infringement over the alleged use of ‘Seven Nation Army’ in a campaign video without their permission.
Isaac Hayes’ estate is suing Trump for $3million (£2.28m) after allegedly finding over 130 instances where the song was used at his campaign rallies without permission. Last week, a federal judge ruled that Trump and his campaign must stop using Hayes’ song ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’.
Throughout the last year alone, ABBA have demanded Trump stop using their music, and Beyoncé reportedly threatened the former president with legal action for using her song ‘Freedom’ in a social media video.
Celine Dion also said she did not endorse the use of her iconic song ‘My Heart Will Go On’, while Johnny Marr “shut down” his use of The Smiths’ ‘Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want’.
Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Queen and The Animals have all had similar run-ins with Trump over music usage.