Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
Dylan Song Ad Pulled From X
Coverage from Billboard, Digital Music News, and others
Articles
8
Latest Article
11/15
Active Days
11
Executive Summary
Mamdani's Dylan-scored campaign ad was removed from X after UMPG refused political licensing, underscoring sync rights limits for campaign messaging.
- Universal Music Publishing Group said it will not license Dylan compositions for political figures
- Mamdani's campaign ad used The Times They Are A-Changin' and the caption New York is a-changin
- The video was removed from X after a copyright owner report and takedown notice
- The ad remained available on Instagram and TikTok after the X removal
- UMPG said it has owned Dylan's publishing catalog since 2020
- Campaign ads need sync licenses from copyright owners before using recorded music
- The dispute highlights legal liability and recurring copyright conflict in political advertising
Quick Facts
- What: A Dylan song used in a campaign ad was taken down
- Where: On X and other social media platforms
- Why: UMPG refuses to license Dylan works for political projects
- Who: Zohran Mamdani and Universal Music Publishing Group
- When: Posted just before polls closed on November 4
Coverage Timeline: 11 Days
Featured Article
Zohran Mamdani's campaign posted a political ad using Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin' before polls closed on November 4; the clip was removed from X following UMPG licensing policy.
Additional Articles
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Zohran Mamdani's Dylan themed campaign ad posted on November 4, 2025 was removed from X after a takedown by Universal Music Publishing Group.
On 2025-11-06, Zohran Kwame Mamdani's campaign ad using The Times They Are a-Changin' was removed after a request from Universal Music Publishing Group.
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Zohran Mamdani's campaign video using The Times They Are A-Changin' was removed from X after a UMPG copyright takedown following its November 4 posting.
On 2025-11-05, UMPG denied a sync license for Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin' in a political ad on X, prompting removal.
Universal Music Publishing Group removed Bob Dylan's The Times They Are a-Changin' from Zohran Mamdani's New York City mayoral campaign video on Mamdani's election day.
Zohran Mamdani's campaign ad featuring Bob Dylan's The Times They Are a-Changin' was removed from Twitter on November 5, 2024.
Universal Music Publishing Group refused to license Dylan's compositions for political figures worldwide in 2020.