Eddy Grant has won a significant legal battle against Donald Trump in a copyright infringement lawsuit concerning the unauthorized use of his 1982 hit song "Electric Avenue" in a 2020 campaign video.

District Court Judge John G. Koeltl found Trump liable for monetary damages, rejecting all defense arguments. Grant's initial filing sought $300,000 in damages plus legal fees, though the final amount may be determined by a jury.

The dispute began in 2020 when Trump's campaign posted an animated video on Twitter mocking Joe Biden with "Electric Avenue" playing in the background. The video garnered millions of views and approximately 100,000 retweets before removal.

Trump's legal team attempted to claim fair use, arguing that:

• The video was political commentary rather than a campaign advertisement
• The song was "contextually transformed" in the clip
• Grant didn't have copyright ownership

Judge Koeltl dismissed these arguments, citing his earlier ruling that described the video as a "wholesale copying of music to accompany a political campaign ad."

This case adds to a series of similar legal challenges Trump has faced from musicians, including the Rolling Stones, Celine Dion, and Jack White, over unauthorized use of their music in political campaigns.

Grant, known for his socially conscious music, had previously stated that using his song to amplify "derogatory political rhetoric" was "wicked" and caused him "considerable emotional distress."

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