…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media.
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has emerged victorious in a copyright trial involving his hit single “Thinking Out Loud” and Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic “Let’s Get It On.”
Sheeran had been accused of stealing elements of Gaye’s hit when writing his own song in 2014, which he denied.
Legal Battle
The heirs to the estate of Gaye’s co-writer had attempted to argue that Sheeran owed them money for copyright infringement.
However, jurors in New York sided with Sheeran, who claimed that allowing such a claim would be a threat to all musicians who create their own music.
Analysis and Commentary
The verdict of the trial is a significant win for Sheeran, who had faced a lengthy legal battle over the similarities between the two songs.
Ed Sheeran arriving at the federal court in New York on April 25, 2023
This case has highlighted the complex nature of copyright law in the music industry, where inspiration and influence can sometimes be difficult to separate from outright plagiarism.
Many musicians draw inspiration from the music that came before them, and it can be challenging to determine where the line is drawn between influence and infringement.
However, this case has set a precedent that musicians can create their own music without fear of being sued for similarities in melody or composition.
The ruling is also significant for the Gaye estate and the heirs of his co-writer, who were seeking financial compensation for the alleged copyright infringement.
However, the decision highlights the importance of establishing clear evidence of infringement before pursuing legal action, as well as the need for copyright law to evolve to address the changing nature of music creation and consumption.