Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler has demanded that President Trump stop using the band’s music at his events. He sent the White House a ‘cease and desist’ letter.
From Variety:
“The band’s 1993 hit “Livin’ on the Edge” was played as Trump devotees entered the venue, which has a capacity of 13,500. Tyler has in turn sent a “cease and desist” letter through his attorney Dina LaPolt to the White House accusing the President of willful infringement in broadcasting the song, which was written by Tyler, Joe Perry and Mark Hudson.
Citing the Lanham Act, which prohibits “any false designation or misleading description or representation of fact … likely to cause confusion … as to the affiliation, connection, or association of such person with another person,” Tyler’s attorney contends that playing an Aerosmith song in a public arena gives the false impression that Tyler is endorsing Trump’s presidency.”
Tyler also took to Twitter using ALL CAPS (as he tends to do) to explain why he is asking Trump to stop and why it is not a swipe at the president.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT DEMS VS. REPUB. I DO NOT LET ANYONE USE MY SONGS WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. MY MUSIC IS FOR CAUSES NOT FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS OR RALLIES. PROTECTING COPYRIGHT AND SONGWRITERS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EVEN BEFORE THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TOOK OFFICE.
— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) August 22, 2018
He is also advocating for an act that he says would protect and regulate the usage of music.
THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY @JOEPERRY AND I HAVE BEEN PUSHING THE SENATE TO PASS THE MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT.
NO IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE.
— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) August 22, 2018
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At last night’s Trump rally in West Virginia, the Aerosmith song ‘Livin’ on the Edge’ was played.
The scene in WV before Trump’s rally. Aerosmith’s “Livin’ on the edge” playing. pic.twitter.com/HW1qr9TBgE
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 21, 2018
The problem for Tyler is that there are already licensing agreements that govern this type of usage.
Steven Tyler can return the royalty money he’s made from it & revoke the licensing. Why is this a simple detail reporters somehow keep omitting? https://t.co/Jc1JQqrFV4
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) August 22, 2018
ASCAP how does it work https://t.co/1wjOwp3mQo
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) August 22, 2018
The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (as Dana points out) was created for this type of scenario, to ensure that the artist’s work (in this case Tyler’s) is properly protected and able to be used by license holders.
From sporting events to large public gatherings to political rallies such as Trump’s last night, licensing agreements allow songs to be played without it being seen as an “endorsement” or violation of the Lanham Act.
We will see what kind of response comes from the White House and if they will cease using Aerosmith music.
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