It's been a rough few weeks for Ed Sheeran. The singer has been in court due to a copyright lawsuit against Marvin Gaye's estate. Additionally, Sheeran has been testifying in court for the "striking similarities" in his 2014 hit "Thinking Out Loud" to Gaye's classic, "Let's Get It On." Despite being filed in 2017, the case has finally made its way to a judge. Ed Sheeran received a Grammy for Song of the Year for the single upon its release. The jury is instructed to consider the raw elements of melody, harmony, and rhythm, that make up the composition of the Motown classic.
However, Ed Sheeran's legal team denies all allegations. They said the elements of the song structurally are undeniable. With that being said, Sheeran's team also noted that the symmetry points solely to the foundation of popular music. "The two songs share versions of a similar and unprotectable chord progression that was freely available to all songwriters," said Ed Sheeran's legal team. Moreover, this isn't the first time Marvin Gaye's estate has sued for similarities. Robin Thick, T.I., and Pharrell ran into legal troubles with the singer's estate. Over similarities to Gaye's hit song "Got To Give It Up," his estate was awarded millions in the lawsuit. It's still one of the largest copyright lawsuits to date.
Ed Sheeran Is Hangin' It Up
In Ed's recent testimony, if found guilty of copyright, he will quit music. On Monday the "Shape of You" singer testified and vehemently denied all allegations and claims. When asked by his attorney Illene Farkas to explain the "toll" the lawsuit has taken on him he responded candidly. He said if found guilty, "I'm done, I'm stopping." Additionally, Sheeran noted, "I find it really insulting to devote my whole life to being a performer and a songwriter and have someone diminish it."
It would be terrible to see such a talent like Ed Sheeran stop making music if found guilty. However, just for clarity, it isn't Marvin Gaye's family that's suing Ed Sheeran for plagiarizing his song. It's his co-writer Ed Townsends estate that filed the case against the U.K. singer. Gaye's family actually has nothing to do with the case personally. How do you feel about all of this? Do you think Ed Sheeran would really quit making music if found guilty? Let the HNHH staff know in the comments section below!