Neil Young sues Trump 47 Committee over Rockin' in the Free World at an Ohio rally

The complaint

Young v. Trump 47 Committee, Inc., No. 3:26-cv-01398 (E.D. Va., Richmond Division), was filed October 26, 2026 and is assigned to Judge Robert E. Payne. The plaintiff is Neil Young, doing business as Silver Fiddle Music. The defendants are Trump 47 Committee, Inc., which the complaint describes, on information and belief, as a Virginia corporation, and Does 1 through 5. The complaint is signed by Robert S. Besser of the Law Offices of Robert S. Besser in Santa Monica, California, whose pro hac vice application it says is forthcoming, and by Scott A. Simmons of Scott Simmons Law PC in Midlothian, Virginia. It pleads jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1338(a) and venue under 28 U.S.C. 1400(a). A summons to the committee issued on October 27, 2026.

The song and the rally

The complaint says Young wrote and co-owns the copyright in the musical composition Rockin' in the Free World, Registration No. PA0000449267, and attaches the registration certificate as Exhibit A. Copyright Office recordations list the composition in an assignment of copyright from Young to Hipgnosis SFH I, Ltd., dated as of December 20, 2020 and recorded February 2, 2021, and in a copyright assignment deed from Hipgnosis SFH I Limited to Lyra SA (Delaware) L.P., executed July 29, 2024 and recorded September 18, 2024.

The complaint alleges that the committee organized, financed and conducted an October 12, 2026 rally in Youngstown, Ohio, and caused the song to be played there. It alleges, on information and belief, that the committee finances and conducts rallies designed to encourage votes for Republican candidates in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, and that it has caused the song to be played numerous times at other such rallies. It alleges that the committee had no license or permission from Young to play the song at any public political event.

The complaint says that in 2020 Young sued another corporation, one it says Trump formed, over the same song and a second Young song, and that the corporation settled shortly after it was served, promising not to use Rockin' in the Free World again without a license and Young's permission. The docket in that case, No. 1:20-cv-06063 (S.D.N.Y.), shows that Young voluntarily dismissed it with prejudice on December 7, 2020. The complaint alleges that the committee caused the song to be played despite lacking a license and knowing one was required, and that it acted willfully.

The claim and relief sought

The single claim, brought by Young against the committee and Does 1 through 5, pleads copyright infringement under Title 17 based on unauthorized public performance. Young alleges harm to his reputation and brand from an implied endorsement. He asks for preliminary and permanent injunctions barring the defendants from publicly performing the song or any composition Young owns, and from causing or permitting the song to be publicly performed at events the committee conducts or arranges, damages of $10,000,000, and costs and attorney's fees under 17 U.S.C. 505.