this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2024
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Former President Donald Trump has drawn the ire of another musical group for unauthorized use of their music. This time, it's the Foo Fighters.

Trump played the band's song "My Hero" when he welcomed former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a rally in Arizona on Friday[...]

[...]The spokesperson added that any royalties received as a result of the Trump campaign's use of the song will be donated to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz.

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[–] BlameThePeacock@lemmy.ca 158 points 2 months ago (7 children)

This kind of bullshit needs a law to be honest.

Politicians should need direct approval before using copyright music in campaigns.

[–] Thisiswritteningerman@midwest.social 88 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Is there not one? Seems like I, a person, can't just publicly use a song for my own gains if an artist really wanted to stop me. A politician, also a person (albeit a wealthy one) is still targetable by the artist right.

Like sure, rich asshole just gets a slap on the wrist fine and it gives their lawyers more more to do. But there is a law about this right?

[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 79 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It is a law. That’s why he keeps getting taken to court to pay up.

[–] octopus_ink@lemmy.ml 36 points 2 months ago

It is a law. That’s why he keeps getting taken to court to pay up.

Well I'm sure this slap on the wrist will be the one that causes him to mend his ways.

[–] Godnroc@lemmy.world 22 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Generally the person who recorded the music would have a performance copyright on that recording. This is often sold, licensed, or otherwise given to another group to distribute that recording such as through CDs or streaming. That same performance can also frequently be licensed for use in videos, commercials, public displays, etc.

If the campaign purchased a license from the distributor to play the recording at a public event, there really isn't any consultation with the original artist. Hence, an artist's music being used for something they do not agree with.

If they did not purchase a license, that's when the lawyers are unleashed.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 16 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I used to think the same, but ASCAP has a very nice, easy to understand page about licensing for political events that is super informative.

I posted this up a level, but being as you seemed to have a better understanding about this than most other commenters, I wanted to post this as a reply to you too so you would see it.

If the campaign events are properly licensed, can the campaign still be criticized or even sued by an artist for playing their song at an event?

Yes. If an artist is concerned that their music has been associated with a political campaign, he or she may be able to take legal action even if the campaign has the appropriate performance licenses. The campaign could potentially be in violation of other laws, unrelated to music licensing:

The artist’s Right of Publicity, which in many states provides image protection for famous people or artists The Lanham Act, which covers confusion or dilution of a trademark (such as a band or artist name) through its unauthorized use False Endorsement, where use of the artist's identifying work implies that the artist supports a product or candidate

As a general rule, a campaign should be aware that, in most cases, the more closely a song is tied to the "image" or message of the campaign, the more likely it is that the recording artist or songwriter of the song could object to the song's usage by the campaign.

[–] yeather@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I believe there has been a ruling on this though, it came up back in 2016. Trump used another artists music at a rally, and the artist couldn’t sue but could force the Trump campaign to stop using their discography. Only after if they used it again they could sue.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

If you're thinking of the Neil Young case, it seems Neil dropped it, possibly after a settlement, but maybe not, as he doesn't sound mad in the article.

As the bit I posted said, if the artist objects, the campaign can't play it anymore, but Trump and Co ignored multiple cease and desist orders, and that is what brought the lawsuit. So we are both correct.

There's still a pending lawsuit over a campaign video that used Electric Avenue, but that hasn't gone to court yet.

[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 21 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This kind of bullshit needs a law to be honest.

It’s is a law.

[–] capt_wolf@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Seriously, performers need to DMCA the shit out of him! He's no doubt received cease and desist letters and continues to violate copyright laws.

Even better, sue his ass and donate the money received to Harris in his honor!

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[–] zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 months ago

It is a law. It's covered under copyright. Trump's just ignoring the law (as usual).

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[–] ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 119 points 2 months ago (4 children)

When commenting on the Trump campaign's use of "My Hero," a spokesperson for the band told CBS News on Saturday: "Foo Fighters were not asked permission and if they were, they would have not granted it."

The spokesperson added that any royalties received as a result of the Trump campaign's use of the song will be donated to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz.

Haha. There go my heroes.

But seriously, that's a great middle finger towards Trump. I still remember how quite a few artists seemed intimidated to speak out against conservatives in the mid-noughties (the whole Iraq invasion fiasco). It's good to see many artists today defiantly standing up to conservative hate-mongers.

[–] warbond@lemmy.world 36 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Gah, the poor Dixie Chicks

[–] prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works 32 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Actually they learned a valuable lesson about “their base” and it’s part of the reason they’re not “the Dixie” chicks anymore.

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[–] VinnyDaCat@lemmy.world 16 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Brendon Urie did it 4 years ago when he outright told Trump to fuck off and stop playing High Hopes at his rallies.

[–] zarkanian@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 months ago

The equivalent today would be coming out as pro-Palestine.

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[–] sarcasticsunrise@lemmy.world 57 points 2 months ago (3 children)

First Taylor Swift, now the Foo Fighters?!?! Damn Donald, wanna piss off Dolly Parton fans next?

[–] ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 69 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Didn't they already kinda do that?

ETA: Yup, they did.

[–] sarcasticsunrise@lemmy.world 26 points 2 months ago

The exhausting 24hr news cycle must've deleted this from my brain to make more room for storage. Of course they went after Dolly, there is no shame and there is no low too low for these traitorous scumbags

[–] wildcardology@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago

Include Isaac Hayes and Celine Dion.

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[–] designatedhacker@lemm.ee 55 points 2 months ago (2 children)

This is the perfect approach. He can't play it without donating to Harris out of his campaign funds. That will actually make him stop.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 32 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Only thing is, he never pays anyone, so are they even going to get any royalties?

[–] Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de 16 points 2 months ago

They can still say the money they donated was money from Trump's use, standard fees.

[–] adespoton@lemmy.ca 13 points 2 months ago

Better than that, someone should put up a page itemizing all the times Trump’s campaign contributes to Harris/Walz. Make it show up at the top of the search results. Links to it on the DNC webpage.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 35 points 2 months ago (1 children)

ASCAP nicely has a whole page set up to ELI5 the licensing of music for political events.

I always had a lot of assumptions, but this breaks it down very nicely.

What music is covered by the ASCAP license for political campaigns?

The ASCAP political campaign license agreement provides a blanket license to perform any or all of the millions of musical works in the ASCAP repertory. However, ASCAP members may ask us to exclude some or all of their works from a particular political campaign's license. In that event, ASCAP will notify the campaign of the excluded works.

If the campaign events are properly licensed, can the campaign still be criticized or even sued by an artist for playing their song at an event?

Yes. If an artist is concerned that their music has been associated with a political campaign, he or she may be able to take legal action even if the campaign has the appropriate performance licenses. The campaign could potentially be in violation of other laws, unrelated to music licensing:

  1. The artist’s Right of Publicity, which in many states provides image protection for famous people or artists

  2. The Lanham Act, which covers confusion or dilution of a trademark (such as a band or artist name) through its unauthorized use

  3. False Endorsement, where use of the artist's identifying work implies that the artist supports a product or candidate

As a general rule, a campaign should be aware that, in most cases, the more closely a song is tied to the "image" or message of the campaign, the more likely it is that the recording artist or songwriter of the song could object to the song's usage by the campaign.

[–] JoeBigelow@lemmy.ca 8 points 2 months ago (3 children)
[–] Hazzia@infosec.pub 12 points 2 months ago

That's ASPCA lol

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Not quite, but you could say they're the dogs of enforcing royalties! Har har!

I'm bad at telling if people are serious or not, so I'll give a real answer too.

ASCAP is the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. You're on lemmy.ca, so in Canada, the equivalent is SOCAN, Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. Their front page gives a pretty good run down of the purpose of these organizations.

Basically they enforce copyright and royalties collection. They license copyright music for public use and distribute that money to artist, somewhat like a brick and mortar Spotify for people hosting public events or social settings.

[–] JoeBigelow@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I got to make a joke and also learn something!

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[–] uberdroog@lemmy.world 35 points 2 months ago (2 children)

As soon as I heard it O knew David Growl would not approve

[–] Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago

I’m sorry that you had to pay attention to an Arizona Trump rally.

Lol at David Growl.

rawr

[–] hOrni@lemmy.world 32 points 2 months ago (1 children)

He should have learned by now. If He wants to use a song, check if it was recorded by Kid Rock. If not, don't use it.

[–] Chekhovs_Gun@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

Cmon don't sell him short....there's also Ted Nugent

[–] Nuke_the_whales@lemmy.world 32 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Trump to Vance:

"Aim for the bushes"

[–] pyre@lemmy.world 37 points 2 months ago (1 children)

moments later: "I SAID BUSHES, NOT CUSHIONS"

[–] GiddyGap@lemm.ee 6 points 2 months ago

This made me lol

[–] grue@lemmy.world 30 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

The list gets longer with pretty much every song they play, LOL!

[–] nepenthes@lemmy.world 39 points 2 months ago

George Harrison's estate denounced the use of the Harrison-written Beatles song "Here Comes the Sun" after the Trump campaign used the song to introduce Ivanka Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

The estate noted that Trump did not have permission to use this song, but that they would consider allowing him to use the Harrison song "Beware of Darkness".

🤣🤣

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[–] Chessmasterrex@lemmy.world 30 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Hey GOP there will always be Ted Nugent. Lol

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[–] Dorkyd68@lemmy.world 17 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I love how the right idolize certain rock bands having no clue that 99.9% are left leaning. Especially the ones that talk about ragtm, syoad etc, like they are rad left if anything

[–] heatofignition@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Fun fact, actually the drummer of SOAD is a Trump supporter. Serj has said he's mystified about it. You're right about the other three members though.

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[–] Substance_P@lemmy.world 15 points 2 months ago

FFS Donald, don't fight the Foo.

[–] HawlSera@lemm.ee 12 points 2 months ago

I think Trump's strategy of "Literally piss off everyone and make yourself an enemy of pretty much everyone" is sure to get him elected and it needs to keep doing it. Maybe he should start using racial slurs and directly antagonizing law enforcement?

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So Trump is what Foo is? Keeping fighting that Foo Foo fighters!

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[–] formergijoe@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

"The spokesperson added that any royalties received as a result of the Trump campaign's use of the song will be donated to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz."

So... they won't be donating any money to the Harris/Walz campaign?

[–] Revan343@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 months ago

It'll just require a lawsuit first. So I guess they'll donate it to the Harris Walz 2028 campain

[–] ApeNo1@lemm.ee 6 points 2 months ago

There goes Walmart Nero …

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I prefer the real "My Hero"

Zneet Znatter Zneet!

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