Jury finds Ed Sheeran didn’t copy Marvin Gaye classic
- The UK singer had been accused of stealing key parts of the 1970s tune ‘Let’s Get It On’ for his hit song ‘Thinking Out Loud’
- While in the witness box, Sheeran repeatedly picked up a guitar for demonstrations, in a two-week trial closely watched by the music industry
A federal jury in New York concluded on Thursday that British singer Ed Sheeran did not steal key components of Marvin Gaye’s classic 1970s tune “Let’s Get It On” when he created his hit song “Thinking Out Loud”.
As the jury answered the single question of whether Sheeran proved he did not infringe upon the copyright in the affirmative, the crooner briefly put his hands over his face in relief before standing and hugging his lawyer.
As jurors left the courtroom, Sheeran quietly mouthed “thank you” in their direction. He then spoke for about 10 minutes with the plaintiffs, including the daughter of Ed Townsend, who co-created the 1973 soul classic with Gaye. They hugged and smiled with each other.
Sheeran later addressed reporters outside the courthouse.
The verdict came after a two-week trial that featured a courtroom performance by Sheeran as the singer insisted, sometimes angrily, that the trial was a threat to all musicians who create their own music.