(UnitedVoice.com) – Ed Sheeran is one of the most popular singers in the world. His song “Thinking Out Loud” was a massive hit, becoming the first song ever to be streamed more than 500 million times on Spotify. It was the first single to sit on the UK’s top 40 list for an entire year. The song was nominated for the Grammy’s Record of the Year and won the award for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year. Sheeran was sued for copyright infringement over the song, and he made a startling threat recently.
At the end of April, the copyright trial against Sheeran began. He was accused of copying a series of chords from “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye when he wrote “Thinking Out Loud.” Ed Townsend, a composer and writer, claimed Sheeran stole the “heart” of the legendary song, including its “melodic and rhythmic elements” and “harmonic progressions.” Gaye’s estate is also involved in the suit. Sheeran has denied the claims and taken the case all the way to court.
On May 1, Sheeran took the stand at the civil trial, whee he reportedly called the allegations that he stole the song “really insulting.” He said the chords are a “common progression.” Ilene Farkas, his attorney, asked him what he would do if he lost the lawsuit. Sheeran responded, “If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping.” He went on to say he has worked “really hard” to be where he is.
Amy Wage, the co-writer of the song, also took the stand at the trial. She testified the lawsuit was “frightening because it’s something we did not do.”
This isn’t the first time Marvin Gaye’s estate has sued songwriters over a song. In March 2015, it won a lawsuit against producer Pharrell Williams and singer Robin Thicke over the song “Blurred Lines.” The estate accused the duo of copying the “feel” of the late singer’s 1977 hit song “Got to Give it Up.” A jury awarded the estate $7.4 million, the largest verdict ever handed down in a copyright case over music.
The upside is audiences don’t need to worry about Sheeran disappearing from the music world anytime soon. On Thursday, May 4, the jury ruled in favor or Sheeran, a decision the songwriter says will have huge implications on music for generations to come.
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