Rolling Stone, Elton John and others sign letter demanding end of unauthorized political use of music

Dozens of high-profile musicians in pop, rock and hip-hop have partnered with the Artist Rights Alliance in an open letter demanding that politicians put an end to appropriating popular songs for political purposes without authorization.

The letter was addressed to the Democratic and Republican national, congressional and senatorial committees, reported by Variety. 

The letter calls for major political party committees in the US to "establish clear policies requiring campaigns to seek consent of featured recording artists, songwriters and copyright owners before publicly using their music in a political or campaign setting." 

Others adding their signatures to the letter include Green Day, R.E.M., Sheryl Crow, T Bone Burnett, the Kurt Cobain estate, Blondie, Jason Isbell, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash and Lykke Li. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards signed individually. Steven Tyler is on board as a signatory both under his own name and Aerosmith's.

The Rolling Stones have been working with both ASCAP and BMI to point out that political usages require a separate license than normal venue permissions, and Neil Young just this week threatened to sue the president if he continues to use his songs at campaign events.