The estate of Isaac Hayes has secured a preliminary injunction against Donald Trump, ordering the former president to stop playing “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his events.
CNN reports the ruling was handed down by Judge Thomas Thrash Jr. Tuesday (September 3) in an Atlanta, GA, court.
While Thrash did order Trump to to not use the song without proper license, the judge denied a motion by the Hayes estate that would have forced the campaign to take down previously recorded uses of the track.
“We are very grateful and happy for the decision by Judge Thrash,” Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, told media after the hearing [via CNN]. “I want this to serve as an opportunity for other artists to come forward that don’t want their music used by Donald Trump or other political entities.”
“Hold On, I’m Coming” was co-written by Hayes and David Porter, and was popularized by duo Sam & Dave in 1966. The group’s David Prater died in 1988, while Sam Moore would go on to perform at a pre-inauguration concert in 2017. Sad!
Via attorney James Walker, the Hayes estate’s case against Trump will head to trial, in which they will attempt to prove that the Trump campaign does not have a license to use “Hold On, I’m Coming.”
On Monday (September 2), Hayes III shared a letter reportedly sent to the campaign by rights management company BMI, saying the use of “Hold On, I’m Coming” had been objected to by Universal Music Publishing Group on behalf of David Porter.
Other artists who have publicly disavowed Trump’s use of their music include Beyoncé, Jack White, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen and Prince’s estate.
