Mike Huckabee's campaign is being sued for playing the song "Eye of the Tiger" at a Kim Davis rally after she was released from a Kentucky jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Rude Music filed the lawsuit against Huckabee for President Inc. in U.S. District Court in Chicago, charging that the campaign willfully violated its copyright by playing the song at Huckabee's appearance with Davis in front of the Carter County Detention Center in September, reported
Crain's Chicago Business.
Rude Music is owned by Frankie Sullivan, a founding member of the band Survivor, which recorded the hit song that was featured in the movie "Rocky III." The lawsuit said Sullivan co-authored the song.
Huckabee, who is running the Republican nomination for president, joined Davis on Sept. 8 after the county clerk spent five days in jail after refusing a federal judge's order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following a U.S. Supreme Court decision, said
Politico.
"Huckabee for President's unauthorized public performance, or inducement of or contribution to the public performance, of the copyrighted work infringes Rude Music's copyright," said the
lawsuit. "Huckabee for President's infringement of 'Eye of the Tiger' is willful. Mr. Huckabee is sophisticated and knowledgeable concerning the copyright laws, both as a private individual and media-savvy business owner."
The lawsuit asked the court to determine the damages that should be awarded to Rude Music, including "actual damages and defendant's profits or statutory damages."
Sullivan had complained about the use of "Eye of the Tiger" in an interview with
Rolling Stone magazine after the rally. The magazine said Sullivan had sued former House speaker Newt Gingrich in 2012 for playing the song at his rallies.
"I do not like mixing rock and roll with politics; they do not go hand in hand," Sullivan told Rolling Stone. "What upset me most (about Huckabee's use) was that, once again, my song was being used to further a political agenda – and no one even bothered to ask for permission."
The musician said he disagreed on Davis's actions not to grant same-sex marriage licenses.
"Our Constitution, and the words of our Founding Fathers, stand tall for freedom, which is what America is all about," Sullivan told Rolling Stone. "I find it ridiculous in this day and age that this fight against gay marriage has gone on, even after the Supreme Court's ruling. Let's stop."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.