Tom Petty’s estate to sue Kari Lake for using his music without permission: ‘This is illegal’

The estate of famed musician Tom Petty says it will take legal action against failed Arizona GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake after she posted a video featured the singer’s song, “I won’t back down” without permission.

“The Tom Petty estate and our partners were shocked to find out that Tom’s song ‘I Won’t Back Down’ was stolen and used without permission or a license to promote Kari Lake’s failed campaign,” Petty’s verified Twitter account posted Thursday. “This is illegal. We are exploring all of our legal options to stop this unauthorized use and to prohibit future misappropriations of Tom’s beloved anthem.”

The post went on to thank “all of the fans who brought this to our attention and who help us protect his legacy every day.”

As the race slipped away from her, Lake shared a now-deleted video featuring the 1989 classic with footage from her campaign. Lake’s opponent, Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, was declared the winner of the state’s gubernatorial election this week. But Lake has refused to accept the results and says she will continue to fight. Lake, who has a history of endorsing unproven claims of voter fraud, said she is putting together a legal team to gather “evidence and data” about the voting process.

“Rest assured, I have assembled the best and brightest legal team and we are exploring every avenue to correct the many wrongs that have been done this past week,” she said in a Thursday morning video. “I’m doing everything in my power to right these wrongs.”

As The Wrap points out, Petty’s estate has called out other politicians for using his music in the past. “In 2020, his estate issued a cease and desist to Donald Trump’s campaign after the song played at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma,” The Wrap reported. “Twenty years prior, Petty did the same to George W. Bush, stating that his use of the song at campaign appearances implied an endorsement. Petty performed the song at Al Gore’s home the night he conceded the presidential race.”

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.