Judge Halts Trump's Use of Isaac Hayes' 'Hold On, I'm Comin''

Artists Unite Against Unauthorized Song Usage

In a significant legal victory for artists' rights, a federal judge has ordered the Trump campaign to cease playing Isaac Hayes' classic song 'Hold On, I'm Comin'' at campaign events.

Unlicensed Use and Artist Protests

The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Hayes' estate and several other artists who accused the Trump campaign of using their music without permission. The artists argued that the campaign's unauthorized use of their songs violated their copyrights and devalued their work.

The judge agreed, finding that the Trump campaign had not obtained a license from the artists to use their music. The judge also noted that the campaign's use of the songs was not protected by fair use, as it was not transformative in nature and did not comment on the political issues involved in the campaign.

Impact on Trump Campaign

The ruling is a major blow to the Trump campaign, which has frequently used music at its rallies and events. The campaign has not yet commented on the ruling, but it is likely to appeal the decision or seek a stay.

Artists Speak Out

The ruling has been praised by artists and music industry groups. The National Music Publishers' Association said the decision "sends a clear message that artists' rights will be protected."

• Isaac Hayes III, son of the late singer, said: "This is a victory for all artists. It shows that we have the right to control our own music."
• Erykah Badu, a renowned singer-songwriter and Hayes' former collaborator, said: "I'm proud of the artists who stood up for their rights. This decision is a step forward for artist empowerment."

The ruling is a reminder of the importance of copyright law in protecting the rights of artists. It also highlights the growing trend of artists speaking out against the unauthorized use of their music.