Neil Young is suing Donald Trump for copyright infringement - here’s why

Neil Young is suing Donald Trump’s campaign for the alleged illegal usage of his music at a recent rally.

The lawsuit against the president is in regards to copyright infringement and is seeking damages of up to $150,000 (£114,000) per infringement.

This is everything you need to know.

Why is Neil Young suing Donald Trump’s campaign?

The musician claims that his songs Rockin’ in the Free World and Devil’s Sidewalk were played without a licence at a rally in Tulsa.

Both of these songs have been used previously by the campaign.

The copyright infringement complaint filed in New York Federal court read: “This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing.

“However, Plaintiff [Young] in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”

Young posted about the details of the lawsuit on his official site, which explains that “the campaign does not now have, and did not at the time of the Tulsa rally, have a license or Plaintiff’s permission to play the two songs at any public political event”.

The official documents also state that Young has “continuously and publicly objected” to the campaign using his songs.

Young’s first objection can be traced back to 2015, when the campaign first played Rockin’ in the Free World at his June 2015 announcement that he was running for president.

The documents explain that Young is seeking damages of up to $150,000 (£114,000) per infringement.

The Trump campaign has not yet responded to the lawsuit.