Donald Trump, the former US president, has been ordered to reimburse London singer songwriter Eddy Grant for unauthorized use of his song “Electric Avenue.”
Mr. Grant, 76, has been suing the Republican presidential contender in the US courts for more than four years now over the song’s 40-second usage in his 2020 campaign trailer. Before being removed, the video had 13.7 million views on Twitter, which is now owned by X.
After a federal judge in Manhattan determined that Mr. Trump had violated Mr. Grant’s copyright for his 1983 hit song, the business is now accountable for damages and the singer’s legal costs. Put an end to it When Mr. Grant was running for reelection to the White House in August 2020, that is when his conflict with the former President started.
Wallace E.J. Collins, the songwriter’s attorney, sent a cease-and desist letter to Donald Trump’s campaign staff. Judge John G. Koeltl dismissed Mr. Trump’s attorneys’ claims on Friday that the Twitter video was protected by the copyright’s fair use theory, which permits the use of copyrighted works under specific circumstances.
“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,” Mr. Grant’s attorney, Brian D. Caplan, told Business Insider.The judiciary has reiterated that politicians are subject to the law. Riots in Brixton In reaction to a complaint filed by the family of the song’s co-writer, Isaac Hayes, earlier this month, a US judge ordered the Trump campaign to cease playing the song Hold On, I’m Coming at his rallies.
The use of their songs at Trump rallies has been met with opposition by dozens of other artists, including Johnny Marr, Abba, Foo Fighters, and Celine Dion in recent months
The south London road in Brixton, which was the first market street in the capital to have electricity lighting, is the inspiration behind the name Electric Avenue. It is still a component of the current Brixton Market.
It served as the inspiration for the title of Mr. Grant’s song, which was composed in response to the Brixton riots of 1981 and peaked at number two on the US and UK charts.
Regarding the Electric Avenue court case, a representative of Mr. Trump’s staff has been contacted.
