Guyanese singer Eddy Grant has emerged victorious in a copyright case against former United States President Donald Trump over the unauthorized use of his hit song Electric Avenue. The dispute began in 2020 when Grant sued Trump over a campaign tweet that featured a 55-second animation with Electric Avenue playing in the background.
In a recent ruling, the judge found Trump liable for damages, rejecting his claim of fair use of the song. Grant’s attorney, Brett Van Benthysen, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that they had achieved everything they had asked for in the case.
Grant, who is a UK citizen residing in Barbados, sees this ruling as not just a personal victory but also as a win for other artists and copyright owners facing similar infringement issues. The lawsuit demanded that Trump pay Grant US$300,000, with the possibility of additional fees for legal expenses incurred during the litigation process.
Both Grant and Trump were required to give depositions in the case, along with former Trump adviser Dan Scavino. The judge revealed that Scavino had uploaded the video featuring Electric Avenue to Trump’s personal Twitter account, leading to millions of views and thousands of engagements.
In his decision, the judge emphasized the importance of copyright protection and the potential impact on an artist’s ability to obtain compensation if their music is used without authorization. The ruling highlighted that Grant had properly copyrighted the song and that Trump’s use of Electric Avenue did not qualify as fair use under copyright law.
While Grant’s legal team awaits a decision on damages, the victory in this case reaffirms the significance of upholding copyright laws and protecting the rights of artists. The outcome serves as a reminder to potential infringers that unauthorized use of copyrighted material can have legal consequences.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, the music industry will be closely watching the developments in this landmark case. Grant’s success in defending his copyright against a high-profile figure like Trump sets a precedent for artists worldwide to protect their creative works and seek justice for any infringements.
