Sun Sep 15 11:54:17 UTC 2024: ## Trump Found Liable for Using Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” Without Permission
**New York, NY** – Former US President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay damages to British singer-songwriter Eddy Grant after using his iconic song “Electric Avenue” in a 2020 campaign video without authorization.
The 40-second clip of the song was used in a video that garnered 13.7 million views before being taken down by Twitter (now X). A federal judge in Manhattan ruled that Trump’s campaign breached Grant’s copyright, finding him liable for damages and legal fees.
Grant’s legal team, led by Wallace E.J. Collins, issued a cease and desist letter to Trump’s campaign in August 2020. Despite this, the campaign continued to use the song, leading to the lawsuit.
Judge John G. Koeltl dismissed Trump’s legal team’s arguments that the video was protected under the fair use doctrine. Grant’s attorney, Brian D. Caplan, stated, “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.”
This isn’t the first time Trump has faced legal trouble for using copyrighted music without permission. Earlier this month, a US judge ordered his campaign to stop using Isaac Hayes’ “Hold On, I’m Coming” at rallies. Several other artists, including Abba, Foo Fighters, Celine Dion, and Johnny Marr, have also objected to the use of their music at Trump events.
“Electric Avenue,” written in response to the 1981 Brixton riots, reached number two on the charts in both the UK and the US. The song’s title is inspired by the south London road in Brixton, the first market street in the capital to be lit by electricity.
Trump’s team has been approached for comment on the court ruling.
First Piper 