The studio succeeds in having Donald Trump's 2020 campaign video removed online after it files a copyright infringement complaint alleging an unauthorized use of Hans Zimmer's music from the 2012 Batman film.
- Apr 10, 2019
AceShowbiz - Warner Bros. Pictures has taken a legal action after finding out that President Donald Trump used music from "The Dark Knight Rises" without studio's prior consent. Not happy about this, the studio has filed a copyright infringement complaint to have the video removed for the unauthorized use of the track.
The two-minute dramatic trailer-like video features Hans Zimmer's score from the 2012 Batman movie. The campaign video does not only use the movie's music, but also copies the film's style as it mimicks the film's font and title cards.
The video highlights some of Trump's perceived mortal enemies, including Barack Obama, Rosie O'Donnell, Bryan Cranston, Amy Schumer, Hillary Clinton, John Dickerson and Bill Clinton. "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they call you a racist," the video proclaims. "Donald J. Trump. Your vote. Proved them all wrong. Trump: The Great Victory. 2020."
Fans first noticed the video's unlawful use of the music after it was posted on Twitter and notified Warner Bros. about it. "Nobody should EVER use the Dark Knight soundtrack like this...come on man," one commented.
Nobody should EVER use the Dark Knight soundtrack like this...come on man
— Ben Henschel (@ben_henschel) April 9, 2019
Another upset fan posted, "How dare you use the dark Knight rises theme. You're definatly more of a batman and Robin president."
How dare you use the dark Knight rises theme. You're definatly more of a batman and Robin president. pic.twitter.com/iblcr80Uni
— I*Hate*Idiots (@Uno99491476) April 9, 2019
Another tweeted, ".@HansZimmer are you aware that Trump is using your composition from The Dark Knight as soundtrack for his hate-mongering presidential movie trailers? cc: @warnerbrosr."
.@HansZimmer are you aware that Trump is using your composition from The Dark Knight as soundtrack for his hate-mongering presidential movie trailers? cc: @warnerbrosrhttps://t.co/5Vohm0iFKF
— dom nero (@dominicknero) April 9, 2019
Responding to the video, a Warner Bros. spokesperson said in a statement, "The use of Warner Bros.' score from 'The Dark Knight Rises' in the campaign video was unauthorized. We are working through the appropriate legal channels to have it removed."
The studio has reportedly filed a copyright infringement complaint to have the video removed. Hours later, the video, which was posted on Trump's own Twitter account, has since been taken down and disappeared online.
This isn't the first time Trump was slammed for using references to popular works without prior consent. Aerosmith's frontman Steven Tyler previously demanded Trump stop using his songs at political rallies and HBO complained about the president's "Game of Thrones"-inspired poster.
