Trump Campaign Videos Spark Music Copyright Lawsuits: Explained

Sept. 13, 2024, 9:25 AM UTC

New lawsuits accusing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump of copyright infringement continue the evolving legacy of disputes between politicians using music in their campaigns and artists who blanch at the association and want to prevent it.

Rock musicians Jack and Meg White’s Sept. 9 complaint and part of the August lawsuit brought by the estate of soul legend Isaac Hayes focus not on the public performance right campaigns obtain to play songs at events, but rather on the legally distinct right to synchronize a song into an audiovisual work, which requires a specific license.

Securing a “synch” license diverges substantially ...

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