Samir Hussein/WireImageThe Rolling Stones‘ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Aerosmith, John Mellencamp and over 50 other artists have signed an open letter asking that political campaigns seek consent from the recording artists and songwriters before using their music.
The letter comes after a recent run of artists, including The Stones, Neil Young and many more, called out President Donald Trump for using their music without permission.
“This is not a new problem,” the letter reads. “Or a partisan one.”
The letter, which was published in partnership with the Artists Rights Alliance, points to the litany of potential legal issues, such as copyright and trademark infringement, that can arise when a politician uses an artist’s song without consent, while also pointing out the moral dilemma.
“More importantly, falsely implying support or endorsement from an artist or songwriter is dishonest and immoral,” the letter reads. “It undermines the campaign process, confuses the voting public, and ultimately distorts elections. It should be anathema to any honest candidate to play off this kind of uncertainty or falsely leave the impression of an artist’s or songwriter’s support.”
Ultimately, the signees ask campaign committees to “establish clear policies requiring campaigns supported by your committees to seek the consent of featured recording artists, songwriters, and copyright owners before publicly using their music in a political or campaign setting.” They request an answer regarding a “plan to accomplish these changes” by August 10.
Other artists who signed the letter include Alanis Morissette, The B-52s, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, The Four Tops‘ Duke Fakir, Elvis Costello, Green Day, the Kurt Cobain estate, Lionel Richie, R.E.M., Rosanne Cash, and Sheryl Crow.
To read the full letter and view all of those who signed, visit ArtistRightsAlliance.org.
By Josh Johnson
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