Ed Sheeran is quickly learning there are no blurred lines when it comes to Marvin Gaye’s music.
The 32-year-old singer is currently on trial after the estate of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the 1973 Marvin Gaye hit “Let’s Get It On,” sued the British singer-songwriter for copyright infringement.
The estate claims Ed ripped off the classic tune for his 2014 smash, “Thinking Out Loud,” which was featured on his second album, x.
Ed Sheeran took the stand on Monday in New York and called the copyright allegations “insulting.”
He took it a step further and said if he is found guilty in this case “I’m done, I’m stopping. I find it to be really insulting. I work really hard to be where I’m at.”
Well, kids…wave goodbye to your daddy!
With all due respect, the moment I heard “Thinking Out Loud” I thought it was a sample of “Let’s Get It On” that had been cleared for use.
Listen to the song below.
Now, listen to this mashup…
Ed Sheeran claims the chords used in the song are a “common progression” used in several songs.
Sadly, Ed is no stranger to copyright lawsuits.
He won a case last year over his 2017 song, “Shape of You.”
After his victory, Ed slammed the “damaging” uptick in baseless copyright lawsuits.
I’m not an entity, I’m not a corporation, I’m a human being. I’m a father, I’m a husband, I’m a son.
Lawsuits are not a pleasant experience, and I hope that this ruling, it means in the future, baseless claims like this can be avoided.
There is nothing worse than frivolous litigation, however, this one right here might be a tough battle for Ed Sheeran.
Many people are now calling out the Marvin Gaye estate and those connected to it for being predatory with litigation.
You may recall Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke were sued for copyright infringement over this hit tune, “Blurred Lines,” which was a rip of Marvin’s “Got To Give It Up.”
The case ended in a $7.3 million judgment.
Do you think copyright infringement has taken place or is Ed Sheeran getting railroaded?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)
Source: EW
