After years of legal battle, a jury has finally decided that Ed Sheeran did not copy Marvin Gaye‘s song “Let’s Get It On” in his hit single “Thinking Out Loud.”
This verdict is a huge relief for Sheeran, who has been accused of plagiarism numerous times throughout his career. News About Nigeria reports.
The lawsuit was filed by the estate of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote “Let’s Get It On” with Marvin Gaye. They claimed that Sheeran copied key elements of the song, including its melody, harmony, and rhythm, in “Thinking Out Loud.”
However, the jury disagreed, stating that while there may be some similarities between the two songs, these similarities did not amount to copyright infringement.
The jury also noted that Sheeran had testified that he had never heard “Let’s Get It On” before writing “Thinking Out Loud,” which further supported his case.
This verdict is a significant win for artists like Sheeran, who often face accusations of plagiarism in the music industry. With so many songs being created every day, it is not uncommon for similar melodies or lyrics to appear in different compositions.
However, proving that such similarities constitute copyright infringement can be a challenge.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases involving allegations of plagiarism in the music industry.
One notable example is the ongoing lawsuit between Led Zeppelin and the estate of Randy California, who claim that the band copied parts of the song “Taurus” in their hit “Stairway to Heaven.”
Regardless of the outcome of these cases, they highlight the need for clearer guidelines and regulations around copyright infringement in the music industry. Without such guidelines, it can be difficult for artists to know where the line between inspiration and plagiarism lies.
Overall, the verdict in the Ed Sheeran case is a positive step forward for artists and the music industry as a whole. It reaffirms the importance of protecting original creative works while also recognizing the value of artistic inspiration and the evolution of musical styles over time.
