Eddy Grant Wins Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Donald Trump

Guyanese-British Singer Takes Legal Action Over Unauthorised Use of Hit Song “Electric Avenue”

September 13, 2024: Eddy Grant, a Guyanese-British singer, has won a copyright infringement lawsuit against former U.S. President Donald Trump. A federal judge ruled that Trump’s 2020 campaign unlawfully used Grant’s hit song “Electric Avenue” in a campaign video without permission.

Eddy Grant attends the unveiling of The Music Walk Of Fame 2023 at Camden on September 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

Background of the Case

The case was filed by Grant in 2020 when Trump’s team used the 1982 chart-topping song in a video shared on social media attacking then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. Grant expressed dismay at the unauthorized use of his music, which led to the lawsuit.

Ruling by the Court

Trump’s legal team had argued that their use of the song fell under the fair use doctrine, which allows limited re-use of copyrighted material under certain circumstances. However, Judge John G. Koeltl firmly rejected this argument, stating that the campaign video did not modify the song’s lyrics, vocals, or instrumentals, and offered no justification for its extensive use.

In his ruling, Judge Koeltl said, “The video has a very low degree of transformativeness, if any at all,” describing it as “wholesale copying of music to accompany a political campaign ad.”

Response from Grant’s Attorney

Following the ruling, Grant’s attorney, Brian D. Caplan, said that his client was “gratified” by the decision, noting that it underscores the importance of protecting artists’ rights. “Politicians are not above the law, and the court reaffirmed that,” Caplan said.

Future Proceedings

While the court ruled that Trump and his campaign were legally liable for copyright infringement, the amount of damages Trump will have to pay Grant is yet to be determined in future proceedings.

Other Cases of Unauthorised Music Use

Trump has faced similar complaints from other artists during his political campaigns. Notable acts such as Beyoncé, Celine Dion, and ABBA, as well as the estates of Sinead O’Connor and Isaac Hayes, have voiced opposition to the unauthorized use of their music.

Conclusion

Eddy Grant’s win in the copyright infringement lawsuit serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting artists’ rights and obtaining permission before using their work in a campaign or any other context. The case sets a precedent for future cases and emphasizes the need for politicians and campaign teams to be aware of copyright laws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of this ruling?
A: The ruling underscores the importance of protecting artists’ rights and obtaining permission before using their work in a campaign or any other context.

Q: How does this ruling affect Trump and his campaign?
A: The ruling holds Trump and his campaign legally liable for copyright infringement, but the amount of damages is yet to be determined in future proceedings.

Q: Have other politicians or campaigns faced similar lawsuits?
A: Yes, Trump has faced similar complaints from other artists during his political campaigns, and other politicians or campaigns have also faced lawsuits over unauthorized music use.

Q: What does this mean for artists and musicians?
A: This ruling sets a precedent for future cases and emphasizes the need for artists and musicians to be vigilant in protecting their rights and seeking compensation when their work is used without permission.

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