Aerosmith Threaten Donald Trump With Legal Action Over Unauthorised Use Of Their Song

12 October 2015 | 10:25 am | Staff Writer

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Iconic US rockers Aerosmith are threatening Donald Trump with legal action after the presidential candidate used the band's classic track Dream On at campaign rallies without permission. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Aerosmith frontman Steve Tyler's reps sent a cease and desist letter to 'Donald Trump For President Inc' on the weekend demanding Trump stop using the 1973 song.

It was also revealed that the letter was the second time Trump had been warned about using the song, after he ran it during a rally on 21 August, though he used it again at a campaign recently in Georgia.

The letter read, "Trump for President does not have our client’s permission to use 'Dream On' or any of our client’s other music in connection with the Campaign because it gives the false impression that he is connected with or endorses Mr. Trump’s presidential bid."

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"We are unaware of any public performance license granting Trump for President the right to perform 'Dream On' in connection with the Campaign. If Trump for President has any such license, please forward it to our attention immediately."

Interestingly, Trump and Tyler appeared to have built up a friendship recently, as Tyler appeared at a Republican debate in August as a personal guest of Trump.

Tyler's attorney Dina LaPolt said in a statement that the letter was not personal, but simply about authorisation. 

"This is not a political nor personal issue with Mr. Trump. Steven works tirelessly with both Republicans and Democrats regarding copyright reform and his position has always been consistent regarding copyright and intellectual property," the statement read.

"Simply, one must get permission from the music creators. Steven wrote 100% of 'Dream On,' and this is about the un-authorized use of his property. Steven is a registered Republican." 

Trump has been given 24 hours to acknowledge the letter.

Aerosmith now join a growing list of musical acts who have demanded Trump cease using their songs which already includes Jackson Browne and Tom Petty.

Last month veteran band REM slammed Trump and other politicians in a series of tweets for using their famous 1987 song It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).