Supreme Court Rejects Copyright Appeal That Claims Ed Sheeran Copied Marvin Gaye Song on ‘Thinking Out Loud’: Report

The Supreme Court Denied an Appeal Alleging Ed Sheeran Copied Marvin Gaye’s Song

In a recent development, the Supreme Court has rejected an appeal in a copyright lawsuit that accused Ed Sheeran of unlawfully copying Marvin Gaye’s 1973 hit “Let’s Get It On” in his 2014 track “Thinking Out Loud.” This legal battle, spanning over a decade, saw judges refuse to hear an appeal filed by Structured Asset Sales, a company with a copyright interest in Gaye’s song, seeking to dismiss the case.

Structured Asset Sales, owned by investment banker David Pullman, had filed a lawsuit against Ed Sheeran, his record label Warner Music, and music publisher Sony Music Publishing, aiming for monetary damages due to alleged similarities between the two songs. The company holds a stake in the rights to Gaye’s music, previously owned by his collaborator Ed Townsend, who co-wrote “Let’s Get It On.”

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Amy Wadge, co-writer of “Thinking Out Loud,” expressed relief, stating that the ruling marked the end of a ten-year legal saga. She described the impact of the song on her life, acknowledging its transformative role and the challenges faced during the legal battle.

David Pullman, in a statement to the BBC, revealed that a separate federal case involving the sound recording and sheet music of “Let’s Get It On” will proceed in a New York federal court. This case is crucial as it includes key evidence that could influence the outcome of the dispute.

Despite the ongoing legal battles, Ed Sheeran’s representatives have not yet provided a response to requests for comment on the latest developments. The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the artists involved and the complexities of copyright law in the music industry.

In previous rulings, courts have rejected claims of copyright infringement against Sheeran, citing that the fundamental musical elements shared between the songs are not unique to any one songwriter. These decisions underscore the challenging nature of proving infringement in cases where similarities exist in basic musical structures.

Ed Sheeran has faced multiple lawsuits over his music since the release of “Thinking Out Loud” in 2014, highlighting the legal risks artists may encounter in creating new compositions. As the music industry grapples with these legal challenges, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for copyright protection in songwriting.

As the legal battle continues, the music industry awaits further developments that could potentially shape how copyright disputes are resolved in cases of alleged music plagiarism. The intricate legal arguments and complex musical analyses involved in such cases underscore the need for clarity and consistency in interpreting copyright law within the music sector.