Oh, I hope Cameron Mackintosh sues Donald Trump...

...for using 'Do You Hear the People Sing?' at a Miami rally, AND altering a licensed image for 'Les Miserables' for his campaign, I'm assuming without Mackintosh's permission. Not only is that copyright infringement, but the spirit of Les Miz is so completely opposite everything Trump stands for that I hope Mackintosh pounds him for this. Not just says 'hey, stop using my music, thanks' but really goes after him.

Even regarding the music, if the venue for this conference has (as most do) a license from ASCAP they can play any Boublil/Schonberg stuff they like at any point as long as they make a note of it so the relevant royalties can be paid.

Would, however, the photo that's the basis of the background art be appropriately "bought out" in terms of rights for this usage? I would guess that parody/fair use would cover it but am not totally sure.

Most venues (and campaigns) do have a blanket license with ASCAP, though it is conceivable (yet unlikely) that rights holders could still sue.

http://www.ascap.com/~/media/files/pdf/advocacy-legislation/political_campaign.pdf

This is an interesting read on the topic of Fair Use.

http://lemoinefirm.com/parody-fair-use-or-copyright-infringement/

Looking into more, it seems as though the person on Redditt who made the "Les Deplorables" graphic might have grounds to sue (if it was used without permission), though I imagine that would be a hairy situation, considering the graphic itself would need to be defended with a Fair Use argument.

Updated On: 9/17/16 at 10:49 AM

Donald Trump and music itself do not mix well- perhaps he should make the Icelandic Chant his theme song instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVrYjCYZ9iA

It's the same release mentioned in the Guardian article I already posted.