Steven Tyler Says Trump Fight Is Part of a Larger Copyright Issue

Steven Tyler's furious effort to keep Donald Trump from using an Aerosmith song fits into his broader campaign on behalf of strengthening copyright protection. "My intent was not to make a political statement, but to make one about the rights of my fellow music creators," Tyler says in a new guest column for Huffington Post.

Tyler sent sent two separate cease-and-desist notices to the Trump camp before they stopped playing Aerosmith's "Dream On" during campaign rallies. Tyler says that's in keeping with his recent co-founding of the Grammy Creator's Alliance, a group meant to "make sure those who practice their craft get paid fairly when others use their work."

Tyler argues that swift-moving changes in technology require diligence on the part of artists like himself. "These changes can be a good thing for songwriters and up-and-coming artists, if we are paid fairly by those who make money using our work," Tyler says. "Everyone deserves to be able to pay their bills, support their families, and do the work they love. Too many can't because we are being shortchanged by new and old technology companies."

Donald Trump has also gotten in hot water for using "Rockin’ in the Free World" by Neil Young and "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M. during his on-going pursuit of the Republican nomination for president. Dee Snider, however, has given him permission to use music from Twisted Sister.

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