Musician Neil Young has reportedly dropped a lawsuit against President Donald Trump.
Young sued Trump for copyright infringement back in August after the president continued to use his music during campaign rallies, according to an article published Monday by The Hollywood Reporter.
Neil Young drops copyright lawsuit against Donald Trump https://t.co/cGYwNrVttd
— Independent Music (@IndyMusic) December 8, 2020
Trump had reportedly used “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at his campaign rallies. Young’s decision to drop the lawsuit follows Trump’s loss of the 2020 election to President-elect Joe Biden, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Panic! At The Disco Lead Singer Brendon Urie Slams Trump’s Use Of Song At Campaign Rally)
Young has had an issue with Trump playing his music at rallies for years, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Young was going to sue Trump back in 2016 but was told the venues where the rallies were held had obtained public performance licenses from ASCAP and BMI, according to the outlet.
The lawsuit was reportedly dropped Monday with prejudice, meaning it can’t be renewed.
Honestly, blocking someone from using your music due to political differences is a slippery slope. You’d think that musicians would want everyone to like their music, but I guess I kind of get it. It just doesn’t make complete sense to me.
By saying you don’t want Trump to play your music at a rally, you end up isolating an entire group of people who could purchase your music.