The family of Isaac Hayes is threatening to sue former President Donald Trump over his use of the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” at rallies.
Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, shared a copy of a copyright infringement notice filed by attorney James Walker and forwarded to Trump, demanding that his campaign pay $3 million in royalties. “Hold On, I’m Comin'” was sung by soul duo Sam & Dave and written by Hayes and David Porter.
Hayes died on August 10, 2008, 16 years ago on Saturday.
“Donald Trump embodies a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continued use of my father’s music without permission, but also through his history of sexually abusing women and his racist rhetoric,” Hayes III wrote for the first time on Instagram on Saturday. “This behavior will no longer be tolerated and we will take swift action to put a stop to it.”
The family is considering suing for 134 counts of copyright infringement for “unauthorized use” of the song over the past two years. The notice also calls on the campaign to stop using “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” remove videos featuring the song and post a public disclaimer by Friday or face “further legal action,” Hayes III wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
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The Hayes family’s attorney claims Trump committed “willful and brazen” copyright infringement and continued to use the song “despite the family’s repeated requests to stop such illegal use.”
The lawyer claims the song has been used so often that the $3 million fee is “greatly reduced.” If the matter is not resolved and a lawsuit is filed, the family will seek $150,000 in damages for each use of the song, the statement said.
The number of songs Trump is allowed to use at his rallies is steadily decreasing. Hayes’ family joins a long list of people who have called on the former president to stop using other artists’ music at his rallies. They include the estate of Sinéad O’Connor, the estate of Prince, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco and the family of Tom Petty.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Isaac Hayes’ family criticizes Trump for using ‘Wait, I’m coming’
