U.S. jury upholds Sheeran in song copyright trial

Ed Sheeran’s 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud” wasn’t illegally copied from Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic “Let’s Get It On,” a US jury is watching closely. decided in a copyright lawsuit.

A Manhattan federal court jury has ruled that Let’s Get It On songwriter Ed Townshend’s heiress has been named Sheeran, his label Warner Music Group, and his music publisher Sony Music. It was determined that publishing did not prove that it had infringed on the copyright of gay songs.

After the verdict was read out, Sheeran hugged his lawyer in court.

Sheeran said outside court after the sentencing, “It’s shocking to be accused of stealing other people’s songs when we work so much to make a living.

“We would like to thank the jury for making decisions that help protect the creative process of songwriters here in the United States and around the world,” the British pop star added.

The verdict was reached after six days of trial and less than three hours of deliberation.

Townsend’s heirs sued Sheeran for copyright infringement in 2017, claiming that Thinking Out Loud copied the “heart” of Gaye’s songs, including the melody, harmony and rhythm.

Sheeran’s attorney argued that the similarities between the songs contained basic musical “building blocks” that could not be copyrighted.

Sheeran, who testified during the trial, denied the allegations of copyright infringement and told the jury, “I think it’s really disrespectful to dedicate your life to being a performer or songwriter and have someone disrespect it.” said.

Sheeran, who was in the witness box, played the chord progression to Thinking Out Loud and sang the opening words.

Sheeran testified that he first began strumming the song’s chords when his friend and collaborator Amy Wadge visited his home in England, and collaborated on the lyrics.

Ben Crump, the attorney representing the heirs, told jurors that Sheeran effectively stole Gaye’s song when he performed it at a live concert as a medley with Thinking Out Loud. said.

Sheeran testified that the singer frequently does such “mashups”, and on other occasions combined his songs with Van Morrison’s Crazy Love and Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You. bottom.

Juror Sophia Neiss, 23, later told reporters that she had “a lot of back and forth” in the jury room before the jury made its decision.

Gay, who died in 1984, topped the Billboard charts working with Townsend, who died in 2003.

Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015.

Plaintiffs have claimed a portion of the profits from Thinking Out Loud.

The heir said in court that he received 22 percent of the gay song writer’s share from Townsend.

“I’m a guy who has a guitar and loves to write music for people to enjoy. I can’t and will never be someone’s rocking piggy bank,” Sheeran said after the sentencing.

Two similar lawsuits are pending against Sheeran of Manhattan brought by investment banker and “Bowie Bonds” creator David Pullman’s Structured Asset Sales LLC.

Last year, Sheeran won a separate copyright lawsuit in London over his hit “Shape of You.”

The gay heiress won an important verdict in 2015. A jury in Los Angeles agreed with claims that Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ song “Blurred Lines” copied Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.”