Ed Sheeran cleared of infringing copyright in Marvin Gaye lawsuit

Ed Sheeran has successfully defended another copyright infringement lawsuit in the US after facing a jury trial following claims that his hit “Thinking Out Loud” lifted bits from 1973 Marvin Gaye classic “Let’s Get It On.” He was sued by heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer on the 1973 song who were seeking a share of the profits from Thinking Out Loud, saying that the syncopated chord progression was copied from Let’s Get It On.

Thinking Out Loud went to No 1 in the UK and No 2 in the US and won a Grammy award for song of the year in 2016.

Sheeran has encountered other copyright lawsuits in the past, including 2014’s “Photograph” which was settled out of court and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill duet “The Rest of Our Life,” which was dismissed.

Kandi Burruss and Tameka “Tiny” Cottle of Xscape also received credit on “Shape of You” after fans noticed similarities between the track and TLC’s 1999 hit “No Scrubs,” which the duo co-wrote. During an earlier 11-day trial earlier this year, artist Sami Switch accused Sheeran of using his 2015 song “Oh Why” for “Shape of You.” However, a judge ruled that Sheeran had “neither deliberately nor subconsciously copied” Switch’s song.

Suffering a dispute can have serious implications on you and your livelihood.  Our litigation solicitors will quickly and efficiently put your case together and act on your behalf. Call Vijay Srivastava or Shalish Mehta in the litigation department on 0161 624 6811(Option 6) or email vjs@wrigleyclaydon.com or sm@wrigleyclaydon.com. We can advise you on the appropriate course of action and assist with any legal documents or proceedings that may occur.

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[Photo Credits: John Minchillo/AP]