Who Really Owns Isaac Hayes' Song "Hold On, I'm Coming"? The Legal Battle Explained
Isaac Hayes III asserts ownership of the song "Hold On, I'm Coming," which his father co-wrote with Dave Porter in 1966. The dispute centers on the Trump campaign's use of the song at political rallies.
Isaac Hayes smiling with trumpet
Key Facts About the Ownership Dispute:
- Isaac Hayes III reclaimed rights to the song after 56 years, as permitted by U.S. copyright law
- The Trump campaign claims Hayes doesn't own the copyright, citing previous ownership by Universal Music Publishing Group and Warner Chappell Music
- Hayes Enterprises filed copyright termination notices in 2014
- In March 2022, Hayes Enterprises regained 50% control of the copyright
Current Ownership Structure:
- Isaac Hayes Enterprises: 25%
- Primary Wave Music IP Fund 3: 25%
- Other parties retain remaining 50%
Legal Developments:
- Hayes Enterprises documented 46 unauthorized uses of the song by the Trump campaign
- 28 times before obtaining a political use license
- 18 times after license termination
- An Atlanta judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Trump campaign from further using the song
Sam Moore, original performer of the song, supports Trump and disputes the litigation, claiming it's politically motivated. Hayes III maintains the injunction is solely about copyright infringement and unauthorized endorsement implications.
Classical columns with historic building backdrop
The preliminary injunction allows existing videos containing the song to remain but prohibits future use while litigation continues.
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