Isaac Hayes Jr’s son not worried about political retribution from Trump over 'Hold On, I’m Coming' case

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Isaac Hayes III, son of the late Isaac Hayes Jr, spoke to podcaster Don Lemon about his lawsuit against Donald Trump’s campaign over the use of the song 'Hold On, I’m Coming'.

Hayes said he is not concerned about any political retribution as Trump makes his way toward the White House to lead as president after his inauguration this month.

Isaac Hayes III calls Donald Trump 'petty'

The families of Isaac Hayes III and co-writer Dave Porter filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement after Donald Trump’s campaign ignored a cease-and-desist letter demanding they stop using the song during campaign rallies.

"If he wants to be petty, then let him be petty," Hayes told Lemon. He added, "I’m a believer in God, I’m a believer in what I’m doing is the right thing to do," The Wrap reported.

Hayes continued, "Donald Trump has enemies, there’s a lot more people that he can be mad at, and he might have time for that."

"But again, I’m not going to move in a state of fear over a simple matter of copyright infringement," he added.

Hayes made the remarks while discussing his legal actions against Trump’s campaign.

Isaac Hayes Jr's family demands $3M over song’s use at Donald Trump's rallies

The estate of Isaac Hayes Jr sent a cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump’s campaign in August.

Former CNN contributor Roland Martin later shared the letter on social media.

The Hayes family requested the campaign pay $3 million, remove all videos using the song, and clarify the campaign was not authorized to play it.

The letter detailed licensing costs, noting it typically costs $150,000 to use the song.

"Based on the number of times the Trump campaign used the song, the $3 million will be 10 times as much if we litigate," the letter said.

Judge Thomas Thrash in Georgia in September then ordered Trump's campaign to stop using the song immediately and from playing it again until the court case is settled as per BBC.

Hayes welcomed the ruling saying, "We have to take a stand that we want to separate ourselves from someone with Donald Trump's character," he said outside the Richard B Russell Federal Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia.

"This is not a political issue, this is a character issue," he said at the time.

Isaac Hayes III vows to 'handle' Donald Trump’s actions

During the interview, Isaac Hayes III expressed confidence in dealing with any political moves Donald Trump might make.

"I mean, again, I understand the weaponization of the Office of the Presidency is something people expect him to do. And if that’s the case, I’ll handle it however I need to handle it."

The case also raised questions about venue licensing for public performances under copyright law.

Hayes Jr composed the song in 1966 with Dave Porter, when he was a staff writer at Stax Records. He went on to become a Grammy and Oscar-winner in his own right, with hits like 'Shaft' and 'Walk On By'.

The star's estate claimed that the Trump campaign used the song on 134 separate occasions after they first asked him to desist.