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Ed Sheeran Wins ‘Let’s Get It On’ Copyright Trial

By Guardian Life

05 May 2023   |   7:16 am

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Following his victory in the copyright court case, Ed Sheeran expressed his relief that he won't have to give up his music career. The 32-year-old singer was accused of copying parts of Marvin Gaye's hit, Let's Get It On, for his 2014 song, Thinking Out Loud, but the jury found in his favour. During the…

Ed Sheeran | Image: Getty Images

Following his victory in the copyright court case, Ed Sheeran expressed his relief that he won’t have to give up his music career.

The 32-year-old singer was accused of copying parts of Marvin Gaye’s hit, Let’s Get It On, for his 2014 song, Thinking Out Loud, but the jury found in his favour.

During the trial, Sheeran had declared that he would quit music if he was found liable. In his post-verdict statement outside the court, he acknowledged his frustration that the case even made it to court, but he was glad that he could continue his original songwriting without fear of false accusations.

Expressing how he felt about the case he said, “I’m obviously very happy with the outcome of this case and it looks like I’m not going to have to retire from my day job after all”.

He continued,”But at the same time I am absolutely frustrated that baseless claims like this are allowed to go to court at all. If the jury had decided this matter the other way we might as well say goodbye to the creative freedom of songwriters.”

He emphasised on the need to be able to write original music and “engage in independent creativity without worrying at every step on the way that said creativity will be wrongly called into question.”

The lawsuit was filed by the late songwriter Ed Townsend’s family, alleging that Sheeran had infringed on their interest in Gaye’s song by copying the “heart” of it. Sheeran argued that any similarities were basic music “building blocks” and not eligible for copyright protection.

The case saw Sheeran taking the stand and performing his song for the court while industry experts provided evidence.