Ed Sheeran testifies in Gaye’s copyright trial

A court case involving singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and allegations of copyright infringement has been given the green light to proceed. The case centers around Sheeran's hit song "Thinking Out Loud" and claims that it borrows heavily from Marvin Gaye's classic track "Let's Get It On," therefore infringing on its copyright.
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A court has ruled that the copyright lawsuit against Ed Sheeran’s hit song “Thinking Out Loud” can proceed. The lawsuit alleges that Sheeran’s song bears striking similarities to Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” and therefore infringes on its copyright.

The case was brought by Structured Asset Sales (SAS), which owns a portion of the copyright for “Let’s Get It On.” SAS claims that the harmonic progression and melodic and rhythmic elements of Sheeran’s song are copied from Gaye’s classic track.

Sheeran’s legal team had argued that the similarities were not substantial enough to warrant a copyright claim, and that the two songs only shared commonplace musical elements. However, the judge disagreed, stating that the similarities were “not coincidental,” and that a jury should decide whether the copyright was infringed upon.

This is not the first time Sheeran has faced a copyright lawsuit over “Thinking Out Loud.” In 2018, he settled a similar lawsuit with the heirs of Ed Townsend, the co-writer of “Let’s Get It On.” The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

A court case involving singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and allegations of copyright infringement has been given the green light to proceed.

Structured Asset Sales (SAS), which holds a portion of the copyright for “Let’s Get It On,” brought the lawsuit against Sheeran. The company argues that the melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic elements of Sheeran’s song are reminiscent of Gaye’s track and amount to copyright infringement.

Sheeran’s legal team had argued that the similarities were not substantial enough to be considered copyright infringement and were simply common musical elements. However, the judge disagreed, saying that a jury should decide whether Sheeran’s song infringes on Gaye’s copyright.

This is not the first time Sheeran has faced a copyright lawsuit over “Thinking Out Loud.” In 2018, he reached a settlement with the heirs of Ed Townsend, a co-writer of “Let’s Get It On.” The details of the settlement were not made public.

The lawsuit against Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” will now proceed to a jury trial. If found guilty of copyright infringement, Sheeran could face significant financial damages and potentially have to share royalties with SAS.

A woman who is suing Ed Sheeran for copyright infringement spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.

A woman who is suing Ed Sheeran for copyright infringement spoke to reporters outside the courthouse. The woman, named Kathryn Townsend, claims that Sheeran’s hit song “Thinking Out Loud” infringes on the copyright of Marvin Gaye’s classic track “Let’s Get It On.”

Townsend’s late husband, Ed Townsend, was a co-writer of “Let’s Get It On.” She is seeking a share of the royalties from Sheeran’s song, as well as damages for the alleged copyright infringement.

In her statement, Townsend said that her husband’s contributions to “Let’s Get It On” should be respected and acknowledged. She also expressed her hope that the lawsuit would bring attention to the issue of copyright infringement in the music industry.

Sheeran has faced multiple lawsuits over “Thinking Out Loud,” with some claiming that the song bears similarities to other tracks, including “Let’s Get It On.” In 2018, Sheeran settled a lawsuit with the heirs of Ed Townsend, although the terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The current lawsuit brought by Kathryn Townsend will now proceed to a jury trial. If found guilty of copyright infringement, Sheeran could be ordered to pay damages and share royalties with Townsend.

 

Vik Palan

Vik Palan

Chief Editor - Ratestead.ca

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