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The row between the Rolling Stones and Donald Trump has escalated into a bitter legal dispute

The band are talking to lawyers because the Presidential candidate refuses to stop playing their songs at his political rallies.

Lawyers for both the band and Trump have been firing off legal letters “back and forth” for five months with no resolution in sight.

The dispute started back in May when Trump walked out for his Indiana primary victory speech to Start Me Up.

The Stones said at the time they had “never given permission to the Trump campaign to use their songs”.

They requested he “cease all use immediately.”

But then Trump closed out the Republican National Convention with You Can’t Always Get What You Want, in July. Brown Sugar has also been used.

The rockers then issued a second statement, saying: “The Rolling Stones do not endorse Donald Trump.

"You Can’t Always Get What You Want was used without the band’s permission.”

(Image: Getty Images)

It is understood one of Trump’s arguments is that he believes the rallies are private events and therefore he has every right to use their music.

But the Stones have pointed to the mass press and television coverage that the events generate as proof that this is easily disproved.

A source said: “This row is showing no signs of ending. There has been a mass of correspondence between the two parties.

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"Both sides believe they are in the right and neither are refusing to budge.

"Fair play to the Stones for standing up for their rights and that of other musicians.

"It is a matter of principle for them. They are acting for the wider musical community.”

(Image: Getty)

The Rolling Stones are one of many artists who have asked Trump to stay clear of their hits while campaigning for the presidency including Adele and Neil Young.

But while he has honoured those requests, he hasn’t with the Stones, insisting that he and his campaign “have the rights to use them.”

“You know, we use so many songs,” Trump has said. “We have the rights to use them. I always buy the rights.”

He added that he has “no problem” with the band, saying: “I like Mick Jagger. I like their songs.”