Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kommersant Photo Agency/Shutterstock (10343961a)
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran in concert at the Otkrytie Arena stadium, Moscow, Russia – 19 Jul 2019
Ed Sheeran is facing a lawsuit for alleged copyright infringement in Manhattan Federal Court, where the family of Ed Townsend, Marvin Gaye’s writing partner, claim Sheeran used parts of Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” in his song “Thinking Out Loud.”
Sheeran has denied the allegations and will testify in the trial. The Townsend family is seeking an injunction to prevent Sheeran from performing “Thinking Out Loud,” as well as monetary damages that could amount to millions of dollars.
Sheeran’s lawyers have argued that the Townsend family lacks legal standing to bring the case and that the claims are barred by a statute of limitations.
Marvin Gaye’s son, Marvin Gaye III, who won a $5 million payout in a similar lawsuit against Pharrell and Robin Thicke in 2015, is closely following the case.
