John Krieger Quoted in IP Law News Article on Copyright Infringement
John L. Krieger shared his insights on musicians having their music used in political campaigns without consent with IP Law News’ Blake Brittain. Brittain, authored the article, “Neil Young Sues Trump Campaign for Copyright Infringement,” opening for discussion Neil Young’s lawsuit against Donald J. Trump for President Inc.
On Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Neil Young has filed a lawsuit against Trump’s campaign for using his songs, “Rockin’ in the Free World,” and “Devil’s Sidewalk,” without his permission. Many other musicians have objected the use of their music playing in Trump’s campaign, but Young is one of the first artists to file a lawsuit over it. The topic of music being used in campaigns without permission has rarely been litigated in court. “I don’t know that this case will open the floodgates to litigation because I think most artists have neither the time nor the money to get involved in litigation, but it will be interesting to see how far the case goes,” Says John L. Krieger.
Young says the Trump campaign never received a license to play his songs at, “any political event,” and his songs were played during multiple rallies and political events without permission. In the Plaintiff’s complaint it is acknowledged that his songs have been used without permission and with objection since the initial presidential campaign in 2015. “This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choice,” the complaint says. “However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
Krieger says that, “Young ‘may be looking to do more than take on Mr. Trump’ with his complaint. He could be trying to, ‘Shine a light on an issue that Congress has thus far refused to address—extending moral rights to musical works.” Case, Young v. Donald J. Trump for President Inc. has just begun. Time will tell if Young’s efforts are a step in the right direction for musicians that have been wanting to see change in copyright liability.
On Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Neil Young has filed a lawsuit against Trump’s campaign for using his songs, “Rockin’ in the Free World,” and “Devil’s Sidewalk,” without his permission. Many other musicians have objected the use of their music playing in Trump’s campaign, but Young is one of the first artists to file a lawsuit over it. The topic of music being used in campaigns without permission has rarely been litigated in court. “I don’t know that this case will open the floodgates to litigation because I think most artists have neither the time nor the money to get involved in litigation, but it will be interesting to see how far the case goes,” Says John L. Krieger.
Young says the Trump campaign never received a license to play his songs at, “any political event,” and his songs were played during multiple rallies and political events without permission. In the Plaintiff’s complaint it is acknowledged that his songs have been used without permission and with objection since the initial presidential campaign in 2015. “This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choice,” the complaint says. “However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
Krieger says that, “Young ‘may be looking to do more than take on Mr. Trump’ with his complaint. He could be trying to, ‘Shine a light on an issue that Congress has thus far refused to address—extending moral rights to musical works.” Case, Young v. Donald J. Trump for President Inc. has just begun. Time will tell if Young’s efforts are a step in the right direction for musicians that have been wanting to see change in copyright liability.
