Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

British Pop Star, Ed Sheeran Wins Us Copyright Trial

POSTED ON May 5, 2023 •   Judiciary      BY Akinbohun Samuel

A US jury concluded on Thursday that British pop sensation Ed Sheeran did not copy Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" while writing his 2014 smash "Thinking Out Loud."

According to an AFP reporter inside the Manhattan federal courtroom, Sheeran got up and gave his team a big hug when jurors decided that he "independently" wrote his song.

The claim that Sheeran's song unlawfully appropriated harmonic progressions and rhythmic components from the classic made famous by Gaye was made in the case brought forth by the heirs of Gaye co-writer Ed Townsend.

The heirs demanded a cut of the money made from Sheeran's song.

The 32-year-old Sheeran sang a number of songs while testifying in the legal case.

The English musician testified that he writes the majority of his songs in a single day. He also mentioned that he regularly collaborates with singer-songwriter Amy Wadge on songs, and they co-wrote "Thinking Out Loud" together.

Ed Sheeran wins copyright case

In February 2014, the two collaborated on "Thinking Out Loud" in Sheeran's house, he claimed.

According to US media, Sheeran stated, "We sat guitar to guitar." "We collaborated on a lot of writing."

The jury's mission was to determine if Sheeran's song and Gaye's classic are essentially the same and whether any similarities are covered by copyright laws.

Boyz II Men had previously performed mash-ups of the two songs, and Sheeran had also combined the songs live. These facts were brought up by Townsend's family.

Sheeran's team refuted the claims, stating that "there are dozens, if not hundreds of songs that predate and postdate" Gaye's song and "utilizing the same or similar chord progression."

According to court records from a musicologist hired by the defense, the four-chord pattern was utilized in a number of songs before Gaye's smash single from 1973 was released.

Members of the industry closely monitored the copyright litigation since it might have established a precedent for songwriters' works to be protected and opened the door to legal challenges elsewhere.

Pop Star Musician, Ed Sheeran

It was Sheeran's second trial in a year. In a case involving his song "Shape of You," Sheeran successfully testified in court in London in April, arguing that it was an example of copyright litigation gone too far. He won the case.

When it was published, Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" rocketed up the Billboard Hot 100 charts in America and earned him the 2016 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

In 2016, Gaye's family, who is not a party to the New York lawsuit against Sheeran, successfully sued Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. over similarities between the song "Blurred Lines" and Gaye's "Got to Give it Up." There have been a ton of similar copyright trials in recent years.

READ ALSO
Thugs beat Kogi SDP guber candidate inside Supreme Court
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 24, 2024 0

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Murtala Ajaka, has sustained injuri...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Swears in Justice Kekere-Ekun as 23rd CJN
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara August 23, 2024 0

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria,...

READ ALSO
LPPC Elevates 87 Lawyers to SAN Rank
BY Benedicta Bassey August 2, 2024 0

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Ni...

READ ALSO
NBA Launches Free Legal Services Over Hunger Protests
BY Benedicta Bassey August 2, 2024 0

Following the hunger protest that has rocked the country, the Nigerian Bar Association has set up pr...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Assures Continued Support for Competent Nigerians in International Positions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 21, 2024 0

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to continue backing the candidacy of competent and qualified Niger...

READ ALSO
Bauchi Governor Swears in 21 New Judges
BY Benedicta Bassey July 16, 2024 0

The Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has sworn in six new judges for the state high...

READ ALSO
NASS Collaborates with Judiciary to enhance Nigeria Justice System
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 13, 2024 0

The National Assembly (NASS) joint committee working on the review of the 1999 constitution, in part...

READ ALSO
Senate Holds Hearing on Upwards Review of Judges’ Salary
BY Benedicta Bassey May 20, 2024 0

The Senate is set to commence a public hearing on the upward review of judge’s salaries, allow...

OUR CHANNELS:

Tinubu, Ogun leaders champion tech innovation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 26, 2024 0

The City Boy Movement, Ogun State Chapter, awarded N14m to winners of its technology grant initiativ...


CBN disqualifies 41.65m Access Holdings shares
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 26, 2024 0

The Central Bank of Nigeria has disqualified 41.65 million shares worth N822.60m in Access Holdings...


W’Bank removes loan fees for vulnerable nations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 26, 2024 0

The World Bank has announced the removal of several loan fees to make borrowing more affordable for...


2025 Budget : Gombe set 10% for debt servicing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 25, 2024 0

The Gombe State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Gambo Magaji, on Tuesday, reveale...


Tinubu's media chat reveals APC's insensitivity to Nigerians – PDP
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 25, 2024 0

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s maiden media...


LASG shut Coca-Cola, two others over water usage standards
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 25, 2024 0

The Lagos State Government, through its Water Regulatory Commission, has sealed three companies for...


Mozambique presidential candidate to form parallel government January 15
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 26, 2024 0

The Mozambique main opposition party presidential candidate, Venâncio Mondlane, has threatened...


Oyo govt. sets conditions for Sharia Court inauguration
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 26, 2024 0

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has said he’s aware of the move to inaugurate a Shari...


SEC promises transparency, fairness in fintech regulation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 24, 2024 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has assured stakeholders in the fintec...


No regret removing fuel subsidy- Tinubu
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara December 24, 2024 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, said he had no regret removing fuel subsidy. The...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu