Ed Sheeran was victorious in court as a jury concluded he did not steal key components of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic, “Let’s Get It On.”
The estate of Ed Townsend sued the British singer-songwriter for copyright infringement claiming he ripped off the classic tune for his 2014 smash, “Thinking Out Loud,” which was featured on his second album, x.
The verdict came in after a two-week trial that included a courtroom performance by Ed in an effort to prove his innocence.
When the verdict was read, Ed briefly put his hands over his face in relief and hugged his attorney.
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 he would quit doing music.
Ed told the jury, “I’m done, I’m stopping. I find it to be really insulting. I work really hard to be where I’m at.”
Attorney Ben Crump, who was representing the Townsend estate, told jurors that Ed Sheeran himself sometimes performed the two songs together.
Crump showed the jury “smoking gun” proof with a video of Ed performing in Switzerland where he is seen segueing between “Let’s Get It On” and “Thinking Out Loud.”
Ed claimed artists often do mashups of songs to “spice it up a bit.”
At the end of the day, the jury decided in favor of Ed Sheeran so we will continue to shop to his music in Old Navy (as one of my ICC friends said on social media).
Do you think “Thinking Out Loud” was a rip-off or did the Townsend estate try it?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)
Source: AP News
