Photo Credit: Isaac Hayes for the US National Archives and Records Administration
The family of Isaac Hayes is threatening to sue Donald Trump over his unauthorized use of the track ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’ at campaign rallies.
The Isaac Hayes Estate is demanding former President Donald Trump stop using the artist’s music at his campaign rallies, threatening to sue for $3 million in licensing fees. Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, shared a copy of a copyright infringement notice issued to Trump, for the unauthorized use of “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” performed by the soul duo Sam & Dave, and written by Hayes and David Porter. Hayes passed away 16 years ago, on August 10, 2008.
“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,” wrote Hayes III on Instagram. “This behavior will no longer be tolerated, and we will take swift action to put an end to it.”
The estate is threatening to sue for 134 counts of copyright infringement for the song’s unauthorized use at campaign rallies over the last two years. Further, the notice demands the campaign stop using the song, remove videos featuring the song, and issue a public disclaimer by Friday, or “face further legal action.”
Hayes’ family’s attorney, James Walker, asserts Trump “wilfully and brazenly” committed copyright infringement and continues to use the song at rallies “despite being asked repeatedly not to engage in such illegal use” by the family. Walker claims the song has been used so often that the asking point of $3 million in fees is “heavily discounted.” Should the issue not be resolved, and a lawsuit is officially filed, the family will seek $150,000 in damages per use of the song.
Steadily, the number of songs Trump is authorized to use at his rallies is decreasing, with Hayes’ family joining a long list of musicians and their estates who have demanded the Republican candidate cease using their music. This includes Prince’s estate, Sinead O’Connor’s estate, Tom Petty’s estate, Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, and Celine Dion.
