“Donald Trump [& Team Trump] has been served with our lawsuit and notice of the September 3, 2024 emergency hearing,” said the son of soul music icon Isaac Hayes in a Sunday X post.
Isaac Hayes III said the family estate is being represented by attorney James L. Walker, Jr. In addition to former President Donald Trump, the current GOP presidential candidate, the suit also included the Republican party, the National Rifle Association and others who have used “Isaac Hayes copyright illegally over 134 times in court after being warned to stop NUMEROUS times.”
Hayes, who died in 2008, was an award-winning and influential musician who is well known for his baritone voice as heard on the soundtrack for the 1971 film “Shaft” and more. Younger Americans might know him as the voice of “Chef” on the Comedy Central animated TV show “South Park”.
Earlier this month, Hayes’ son discussed his dismay at his father’s work being used without permission with The Hollywood Reporter. He said that he was particularly upset to see Trump dance to one of the songs at an NRA convention shortly after 19 children were shot dead during the Uvalde elementary school massacre in 2022.
“I was pissed. There’s just been a mass shooting. So why are we using it at the NRA convention?” he told the outlet.
Last week, Hayes III shared a video interview about the lawsuit alleging copyright infringement on his X page.
In the interview, Walker said Trump’s use of Hayes’ music is disrespectful to the artist’s estate. In another video, Hayes III said that the estate repeatedly told Trump not to use the 1966 song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” written by Hayes and David Porter.
“So, if you keep playing the song after you’re told not to play the song, the fine is $150,000,” Hayes III said.
According to The Hollywood reporter, the family said phone calls to Trump and his campaign about use of the song went unanswered.
Last Friday, he announced that a federal court granted a request for an Emergency Hearing to secure injunctive relief.
“Team Trump and multiple associations and organizations affiliated with the former president will finally have to appear before a judge to explain its unauthorized use of popular music at the GOP candidate’s rallies and events, which has gone on for years,” The Hollywood Reporter said. It also said the family sent a Notice of Copyright Infringement, dated Aug. 11, to Trump and his campaign and that the complaint seeking a payment of $3 million in licensing fees as well as removal of all related videos and a public discalimer was filed in Atlanta, Ga.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr. granted Isaac Hayes Enterprises’ motion for an emergency hearing; Thrash is an appointee of former President Bill Clinton. On Friday, Hayes posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the hearing will occur Sept. 3 in Atlanta.
James Walker, the Hayes estate attorney, told The Hollywood Reporter he is confident the case will succeed. He also noted that other artists have complained about Trump using their songs.
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” said an X post from Celine Dion’s account earlier this month. “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?”