Ed Sheeran news – live: Singer hugs lawyers after winning Marvin Gaye plagiarism lawsuit

A Manhattan jury has found that Ed Sheeran did not plagiarise Marvin Gaye’s 1973 song “Let’s Get It On” for his 2014 single “Thinking Out Loud”.

The British singer-songwriter was being sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the songwriter who composed the slow jam classic with Gaye.

They accused Sheeran’s song of copying the anthem’s harmonic progressions as well as melodic and rhythmic elements without permission.

The lawsuit was initially filed in 2017, but has taken six years to finally reach a Manhattan federal court.

Sheeran vehemently denied plagiarising “Let’s Get It On”. His lawyers have argued that the song uses common constructions found in many pop tracks.

He reportedly told the court earlier this week that, should he lose, he planned on quitting music.

Meanwhile, his father told attendees at Sheeran’s grandmother’s funeral that the singer was “so upset” he wasn’t able to attend, as he was still in New York for the copyright case.

Key Points

• Ed Sheeran wins Marvin Gaye ‘Thinking Out Loud’ plagiarism case

• Singer-songwriter missed grandmother’s funeral in Ireland to attend court case

• Sheeran threatens to quit music if he loses copyright trial

18:39 , Tom Murray

Sheeran touches on having to miss his grandmother’s funeral for the trial: “I will never get that time back.”

Sheeran gives statement

18:37 , Tom Murray

“It looks like I’m not going to have to give up my day job after all,” singer tells press outside the courtroom.

Ed Sheeran wins Marvin Gaye ‘Thinking Out Loud’ plagiarism case

18:15 , Inga Parkel

The verdict is in.

Ed Sheeran wins Marvin Gaye ‘Thinking Out Loud’ plagiarism case

British singer was accused of ripping off Gaye’s 1973 classic, ‘Let’s Get It On’

Sheeran missed grandmother’s funeral in Ireland yesterday due to trial

18:00 , Inga Parkel

Sheeran’s grandmother’s funeral took place in Ireland today. The singer’s father confirmed that his son had to miss the occasion to attend his ongoing trial in New York.

“I am very sad that our son Edward is unable to be here today. He’s so upset that he cannot be present,” he said.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran missed his grandmother’s funeral due to copyright trial: ‘He’s so upset’

‘Our son Edward... has to be thousands of miles away in a court in America defending his integrity,’ father said during eulogy

The lawyers are back in the courthouse

17:40 , Tom Murray

Good morning/afternoon/evening, everyone. The jurors have commenced their deliberations and a verdict is expected soon. The plaintiff’s lawyers are reportedly in court but no one from the defence (Sheeran’s team) yet.

We’ll keep you updated with the latest here.

Everything you need to know about the trial so far

17:30 , Inga Parkel

While we’re waiting for the imminent verdict, expected to be delivered today, catch up on a brief of the case here:

Everything you need to know about Ed Sheeran’s latest copyright trial

Singer in court this week to defend himself over claims he stole from the most famous R&B anthem of all time

Ed Sheeran reveals plans for posthumous album

17:00 , Inga Parkel

Ed Sheeran has revealed his plans for a posthumous album.

The 32-year-old singer, who is set to release his last mathematical album Subtract (-) this week, said he’s been working on a secret album that will be released upon his death.

“I want to slowly make this album that is quote-unquote ‘perfect’ for the rest of my life, adding songs here and there,” Sheeran told Rolling Stone. “And just have it in my will that after I die, it comes out.”

Read more:

Ed Sheeran reveals plans for posthumous album

‘Shape of You’ singer is set to release his last mathematical album Subtract (-) in May

When will the verdict arrive?

16:30 , Inga Parkel

A source close to Sheeran told The Independent that the verdict is expected today. It could have huge repercussions given reports that the musician told the court this week that, should he lose, he plans on quitting music.

Sheeran also faces another lawsuit from the owner of Gaye’s song

16:00 , Inga Parkel

In the same New York City court, investment banker David Pullman – who owns one-third of Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” – is also suing Sheeran for copyright infringement.

A judge ruled last year that this lawsuit would also proceed to trial despite Sheeran’s motion for dismissal.

What part of the song is under copyright?

15:30 , Inga Parkel

Given that Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” was released in 1973, it is restricted to the copyright laws for songs made before 1978, which for many leaves protection for only the contents of the sheet music submitted to the Copyright Office.

For Gaye’s anthem, the only portions protected include chords, lyrics and vocal melody. Meanwhile, other important aspects, such as its bass line and opening riff, were left out.

Therefore, the lawsuit can really only dispute the chord progressions between the two songs.

Sheeran’s lawyer says case ‘should never have been brought’

15:00 , Inga Parkel

It’s time for both sides’ lawyers to give closing arguments.

Sheeran’s attorney Ilene S Farkas begins by saying the trial should “never have been brought”.

“Ed Townsend did not create these basic musical building blocks. Ed Townsend was not the first songwriter to use and combine these elements. It was not original,” she says.

Video: Listen to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ alongside Marvin Gaye track

14:30 , Ellie Harrison

Hear the songs at the centre of the trial...

What other copyright cases has Sheeran been embroiled in?

13:45 , Ellie Harrison

In 2016, Sheeran was faced with his first copyright infringement lawsuit, from the pair of songwriters behind “Amazing”. The writers sued Sheeran, claiming that his hit track “Photograph” copied aspects of their song, which had been performed by The X Factor winner Matt Cardle.

A year later, the case was settled and the songwriters were then added to the credits of Sheeran’s 2014 track.

In 2017, Sheeran won his second copyright trial over his popular 2017 song “Shape of You”.

Sheeran’s trial coincided with the release of his emotional documentary

13:00 , Ellie Harrison

In the Disney+ series, it was revealed that Sheeran “wrote seven songs in four hours” after wife Cherry Seaborn’s cancer diagnosis.

Seaborn, 30, was diagnosed with a tumour in 2022, during her pregnancy with her and Sheeran’s second child.

“We had the diagnosis of the tumour and the next day, Eds went down into the basement and wrote seven songs in four hours,” said Seaborn.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran ‘wrote seven songs in four hours’ after wife Cherry’s cancer diagnosis

Sheeran missed grandmother’s funeral in Ireland this week due to trial

12:00 , Ellie Harrison

Sheeran’s grandmother’s funeral took place in Ireland on Wednesday (3 May). The singer’s father confirmed that his son had to miss the occasion to attend his ongoing trial in New York.

“I am very sad that our son Edward is unable to be here today. He’s so upset that he cannot be present,” he said.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran missing his grandmother’s funeral due to copyright trial

What impact could the outcome of this case have on the industry?

11:00 , Ellie Harrison

On Twitter, people have been speculating about the wider repercussions this case could have.

“I have no skin in the game,” wrote on social media user. “In my opinion, I don’t think Ed Sheeran is a great singer at all. But if he loses that lawsuit to Marvin Gaye’s estate, that’s bad for the music industry. I mean, who’s next? The two songs ‘Thinking Out Loud’ and ‘Let’s Get It On’ are totally different.”

Another added: “Hey uhhh idc how you feel about Ed Sheeran, if he loses this case, it will permanently change the music industry :) if you can copyright chord progressions, that is the end of songwriting as we know it :).”

A third posted: “Honestly, if Ed Sheeran loses this case, other artists are at risk of being sued over chord progressions too. The music industry is gonna plummet.”

When will the verdict arrive?

09:57 , Ellie Harrison

A source close to Sheeran told The Independent that the verdict is expected today. It could have huge repercussions given reports that the musician told the court this week that, should he lose, he plans on quitting music.

Sheeran also faces another lawsuit from the owner of Gaye’s song

Wednesday 3 May 2023 23:29 , Tom Murray

In the same New York City court, investment banker David Pullman – who owns one-third of Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” – is also suing Sheeran for copyright infringement.

A judge ruled last year that this lawsuit would also proceed to trial despite Sheeran’s motion for dismissal.

It’s now down to the jury

Wednesday 3 May 2023 22:55 , Tom Murray

That’s all foks. We’ve heard testimonies from both sides and lawyers for the plaintiffs and Sheeran have given closing arguments.

The jurors were sent home shortly after closing arguments and will return on Thursday morning to deliberate, Reuters reports.

Video: Listen to Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' side-by-side to Marvin Gaye track

Wednesday 3 May 2023 21:45 , Tom Murray

Now the plaintiff’s lawyer closes

Wednesday 3 May 2023 20:42 , Tom Murray

Keisha Rice now delivers the closing arguments for the heirs of “Let’s Get It On” co-writer Ed Townsend.

“[I would say] the defendants are hoping that you’d be blinded by their celebrity,” she says, according to Courthouse News reporter Josh Russell.

Wednesday 3 May 2023 20:36 , Tom Murray

“They were not writing a song about getting it on, not musically, not lyrically,” Farkas says of Sheeran and “Thinking Out Loud” co-writer Amy Wadge.

Wednesday 3 May 2023 20:32 , Tom Murray

“Simply put, the plaintiffs’ smoking gun was shooting blanks,” Farkas says.

Farkas was alluding to the plaintiff’s attorney Ben Crump’s opening statement in which he said he had a “smoking gun”. He was referring to a fan video from a past Ed Sheeran concert in which the singer performs a “mash-up” of “Thinking Out Loud” and “Let’s Get It On”.

Sheeran’s lawyer says case ‘should never have been brought’

Wednesday 3 May 2023 20:25 , Tom Murray

It’s time for both sides’ lawyers to give closing arguments.

Sheeran’s attorney Ilene S Farkas begins by saying the trial should “never have been brought”.

“Ed Townsend did not create these basic musical building blocks. Ed Townsend was not the first songwriter to use and combine these elements. It was not original,” she says.

Sheeran missed grandmother’s funeral in Ireland today due to trial

Wednesday 3 May 2023 19:40 , Tom Murray

Sheeran’s grandmother’s funeral took place in Ireland today. The singer’s father confirmed that his son had to miss the occasion to attend his ongoing trial in New York.

“I am very sad that our son Edward is unable to be here today. He’s so upset that he cannot be present,” he said.

Read more:

Everything you need to know about the trial so far

Wednesday 3 May 2023 18:33 , Tom Murray

In case you’re just catching up, my colleagues have put together a handy one-sheet about the trial and everything you need to know.

Read it here:

Everything you need to know about Ed Sheeran’s latest copyright trial

Trial adjourns for lunch

Wednesday 3 May 2023 17:58 , Tom Murray

We’re reaching the climax of the trial here, folks. The Judge has just ordered a break for lunch, reconvening at 2:15pm EST (7:15pm BST).

When they return, the jury will hear closing statements from both sides.

Ed Sheeran review, Eyes Closed: Emotional, candid songwriting that hits home

Wednesday 3 May 2023 17:00 , Inga Parkel

Ed Sheeran’s latest release “Eyes Closed” – the first single from Sheeran’s next album, - (Subtract), “originally written as a breakup song” took on “new meaning after Sheeran suffered a string of personal losses”, writes The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor in her four-star review of the song.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran review, Eyes Closed: Emotional, candid songwriting that hits home

Singer-songwriter’s collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner distils some of his grief over late friend Jamal Edwards

How many other copyright cases has Ed Sheeran faced?

Wednesday 3 May 2023 16:30 , Inga Parkel

In 2016, Sheeran was hit with his first copyright infringement lawsuit, from the pair of songwriters of “Amazing”. The two sued Sheeran, claiming that his hit song “Photograph” copied aspects of their song which was performed by The X Factor winner Matt Cardle.

A year later, the case was settled and the songwriters were then added to the credits of Sheeran’s 2014 track.

Most recently, Sheeran won his second copyright trial in Britain last year. That time, it was over his popular 2017 song “Shape of You”.

What part of the song is under copyright?

Wednesday 3 May 2023 16:00 , Inga Parkel

Given that Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” was released in 1973, it is restricted to the copyright laws for songs made before 1978, which for many leaves protection for only the contents of the sheet music submitted to the Copyright Office.

For Gaye’s anthem, the only portions protected include chords, lyrics and vocal melody. Meanwhile, other important aspects, such as its bass line and opening riff, were left out.

Therefore, the lawsuit can really only dispute the chord progressions between the two songs.

Listen to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ side-by-side to Marvin Gaye track

Wednesday 3 May 2023 15:30 , Inga Parkel

Ed Sheeran takes the stand

Wednesday 3 May 2023 15:00 , Inga Parkel

On Monday (1 May), the “Shivers” singer took the stand for the first time. During his testimony, he denied plagiarising “Let’s Get It On”.

He argued that he and his collaborator wrote “Thinking Out Loud” from their own experiences. He then played his guitar for the court to illustrate his point.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran sings and plays guitar on witness stand in copyright trial

Sheeran played ‘Thinking Out Loud’s’ basic chord progression while singing song’s original lyrics

What happens if Ed Sheeran is found liable?

Wednesday 3 May 2023 14:30 , Inga Parkel

Should the Manhattan jury find Ed Sheeran liable for copyright infringement, that will not be the end of things.

Instead, the trial will enter a second phase where the jury will determine how much he’ll owe in damages.

Ed Sheeran plagiarism accuser collapses in court

Wednesday 3 May 2023 14:09 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Kathryn Townsend Griffin, the woman currently suing Ed Sheeran for plaigiarism, had to be carried out of court on Wednesday (26 April) after suddenly collapsing.

Sheeran was present in the Manhattan court to challenge allegations he had plagiarised Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On” in his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud”.

Griffin is the daughter of songwriter Ed Townsend, who co-wrote Gaye’s 1973 soul hit.

According to CNN, when Sheeran’s lawyers began a cross-examination of a music expert, Griffin fainted.

She was reportedly lifted up by others present at the trial, and given medical assistance before being removed from the room in a stretcher.

The incident is reported to have caused a delay of just seven minutes, with procedings resuming after she was taken from court.

Her lawyer later disclosed that Griffin suffers from a “pre-existing medical condition that she’s dealing with”.

Ed Sheeran plagiarism accuser collapses in court

Ed Sheeran ‘wrote seven songs in four hours’ after wife Cherry Seaborn’s cancer diagnosis

Wednesday 3 May 2023 13:29 , Peony Hirwani

In his new Disney Plus documentary series, The Sum of it All, Sheeran’s wife Cherry Seaborn revealed the remarkable way her husband reacted to her cancer diagnosis.

Seaborn, 30, was diagnosed with a tumour in 2022, during her pregnancy with her and Sheeran’s second child.

“We had the diagnosis of the tumour and the next day, Eds went down into the basement and wrote seven songs in four hours,” said Seaborn.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran ‘wrote seven songs in four hours’ after wife Cherry’s cancer diagnosis

Ed Sheeran threatens to quit music if he loses copyright trial

Wednesday 3 May 2023 12:49 , Peony Hirwani

Ed Sheeran has said he will quit music if he loses his copyright trial.

The singer-songwriter is currently being sued for alleged copyright infringement over his song “Thinking Out Loud”.

It is claimed that Sheeran plagiarised elements of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 soul classic “Let’s Get it On”in his 2014 hit. Sheeran has denied the claims.

Speaking in Manhattan court on Monday (1 May), Sheeran reportedly said of a prospective guilty verdict (according to MailOnline): “If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping.”

Louis Chilton reports.

Ed Sheeran threatens to quit music if he loses copyright trial

Ed Sheeran reveals plans for posthumous album

Wednesday 3 May 2023 12:09 , Peony Hirwani

Ed Sheeran has revealed his plans for a posthumous album.

The 32-year-old singer, who is set to release his last mathematical album Subtract (-) this week, said he’s been working on a secret album that will be released upon his death.

“I want to slowly make this album that is quote-unquote ‘perfect’ for the rest of my life, adding songs here and there,” Sheeran told the Rolling Stone. “And just have it in my will that after I die, it comes out.”

Read more:

Ed Sheeran reveals plans for posthumous album

Ed Sheeran: You have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the pain of loss

Wednesday 3 May 2023 11:19 , Peony Hirwani

Ed Sheeran has said his new single, Eyes Closed, is about “losing someone” and “feeling like every time you go out and you expect to just bump into them”.

The 32-year-old chart-topping singer recently spoke about suffering with his mental health after his wife was diagnosed with a tumour and his close friend Jamal Edwards died.

After originally writing Eyes Closed as a break-up track, Sheeran revisited the song after experiencing personal loss and discovered the lyrics took on “a whole new meaning”.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran: You have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the pain of loss

Ed Sheeran review, Eyes Closed: Emotional, candid songwriting that hits home

Wednesday 3 May 2023 10:39 , Peony Hirwani

“Singer-songwriter’s collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner distils some of his grief over late friend Jamal Edwards,” writes The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor in a four out of five-star review.

Ed Sheeran’s ‘Eyes Closed’ offers candid songwriting that hits home - review

Ed Sheeran copyright trial: Everything you need to know about Marvin Gaye plagiarism case

Wednesday 3 May 2023 09:59 , Peony Hirwani

Ed Sheeran has been making rounds to the court this week, where he’s defending himself against accusations that elements of one of his best-known tracks were stolen from Marvin Gaye’s 1973 slow jam classic “Let’s Get It On”.

The British artist, 32, has been sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the songwriter who composed the anthem with Gaye. They have alleged that Sheeran’s 2014 song “Thinking Out Loud” copied harmonic progressions, melodic and rhythmic elements from “Let’s Get It On” without permission.

Read more:

Everything you need to know about Ed Sheeran’s latest copyright trial

Ed Sheeran copyright trial verdict expected to come out this week

Wednesday 3 May 2023 09:19 , Peony Hirwani

Sources close to Ed Sheeran told The Independent that they’re hoping for a verdict before the singer’s new album comes out on Friday (5 May).

Ed Sheeran surprises busker singing his song on subway platform

Wednesday 3 May 2023 08:49 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Ed Sheeran surprised a New York City busker who was singing his song on the platform of a subway station.

Ed Sheeran surprises busker singing his song on subway platform

Listen to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ side-by-side to Marvin Gaye track

Wednesday 3 May 2023 08:19 , Peony Hirwani

Listen to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ side-by-side to Marvin Gaye track

Ed Sheeran sings and plays guitar on witness stand in copyright trial

Wednesday 3 May 2023 07:49 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Jurors in New York were treated to a free Ed Sheeran concert on Thursday (27 April) in the singer’s ongoing plagiarism trial.

The British artist is being sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the songwriter who composed Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” with the legendary soul singer.

The plaintiffs allege that Sheeran’s 2014 song “Thinking Out Loud” copied harmonic progressions, melodic and rhythmic elements from “Let’s Get It On” without permission, which Sheeran denies.

To illustrate his point, the Grammy-winning singer played the basic chord progression of “Thinking Out Loud” while on the witness stand Thursday.

According to ABC News, Sheeran also briefly sang what he said were the song’s original lyrics: “I’m singing out now.”

Read more:

Ed Sheeran sings and plays guitar on witness stand in copyright trial

Other artists are cheering on Ed Sheeran amid copyright case

Wednesday 3 May 2023 07:09 , Peony Hirwani

Ed Sheeran said he’s getting encouragement during his copyright trial from other performers who also worry that they’ll be sued as he battles claims that he stole material from Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” to make a new tune a decade ago.

The 32-year-old said he’s heard from other singers since the trial began last week because they share his worries about litigation resulting from their songwriting.

He didn’t identify any of them but said they were cheering him on.

“When you write songs, somebody comes after you,” Sheeran said.

Ed Sheeran releases visuals for new album Subtract

Wednesday 3 May 2023 06:29 , Peony Hirwani

Subtract is the upcoming fifth studio album by Ed Sheeran. It is set to be released on 5 May through Asylum and Atlantic Records.

On Wednesday (3 May), the singer released new visuals for the album on Twitter.

“Tune into this on release day, Friday 5 May – Subtract the visual album will be premiered on @YouTube at 11 am ET / 4 pm BST,” the singer wrote. “If you’re a YouTube Premium user, join the Afterparty for some exclusive bonus content.”

Sheeran ‘wrote seven songs in four hours’ after wife’s cancer diagnosis

Wednesday 3 May 2023 05:59 , Peony Hirwani

In his new Disney Plus documentary series, The Sum of it All, Sheeran’s wife Cherry Seaborn revealed the remarkable way her husband reacted to her cancer diagnosis.

Seaborn, 30, was diagnosed with a tumour in 2022, during her pregnancy with her and Sheeran’s second child.

“We had the diagnosis of the tumour and the next day, Eds went down into the basement and wrote seven songs in four hours,” said Seaborn.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran ‘wrote seven songs in four hours’ after wife Cherry’s cancer diagnosis

Who is suing Ed Sheeran?

Wednesday 3 May 2023 05:19 , Peony Hirwani

The British artist is being sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the songwriter who composed the soul classic “Let’s Get It On” with Marvin Gaye.

They have alleged that Sheeran’s 2014 song “Thinking Out Loud” copied harmonic progressions, melodic and rhythmic elements from “Let’s Get It On” without permission, which Sheeran denies.

Video: Listen to Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' side-by-side to Marvin Gaye track

Wednesday 3 May 2023 04:39 , Peony Hirwani

Plaintiff’s lawyer has claimed he has a ‘smoking gun’ in the case

Wednesday 3 May 2023 04:19 , Peony Hirwani

Presenting his case last week, the plaintiff’s attorney Ben Crump said he had a “smoking gun”: a fan video from a past Ed Sheeran concert in which the singer performs a “mash-up” of “Thinking Out Loud” and “Let’s Get It On”.

The video is available to watch on YouTube.

“That concert video is a confession,” said Crump, who is best known for representing the family of George Floyd.

Sheeran’s lawyer Ilene S Farkas argued that the video does not prove copyright infringement, and that Sheeran often performs mash-ups during his live shows.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran’s live Marvin Gaye mash-up song is ‘smoking gun’, lawyer claims

Sheeran questioned his own music skills during the trial

Wednesday 3 May 2023 03:49 , Tom Murray

Sheeran briefly performed lines from his song in court last week. He explained his songwriting technique to the jury, saying: “When I write vocal melodies, it’s like phonetics.”

Sheeran claimed he often writes up to 10 songs in one day. He co-wrote “Thinking Out Loud” with Amy Wadge.

However, according to AP, Sheeran, who has won dozens of awards and headlined Glastonbury, apologised after accidentally hitting the mic with his hand, and told those present: “I’m not the world’s most talented guitar player.”

Read more:

Ed Sheeran questions his music skills during Marvin Gaye plagiarism trial

Jury was treated to a computer-generated rendition of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’

Wednesday 3 May 2023 02:51 , Tom Murray

On the second day of the trial, Insider reported that laughter broke out in the courtroom after a plaintiff musicology expert played an “AI recording” of the song.

“‘Giving yourself to me, can never be wrong,’ the voice sang, every syllable crisply stated, sounding something like HAL the computer committing lethal karaoke in a sci-fi horror flick,” Insider reported, adding that Sheeran suppressed a grin at the defence table.

The musicologist, Dr Alexander Stewart was attempting to use the track to show alleged the similarities between “Let’s Get It On” and “Thinking Out Loud”.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran trial erupts into laughter over AI version of ‘Let’s Get It On’

Sheeran says other singers are cheering him on

Wednesday 3 May 2023 01:53 , Tom Murray

Sheeran said he’s heard from other singers since the trial began because they share his worries about facing litigation over their songwriting.

“When you write songs, somebody comes after you,” Sheeran said.

In April 2022, Sheeran won a separate copyright lawsuit after being accused of plagiarising his song “Shape of You” from Sami Chokri’s 2015 song “Oh Why”.

Following the judge’s verdict, Sheeran released a video on social media talking about the case, saying: “Whilst we’re obviously happy with the result, I feel like claims like this are way too common now and have become a culture where a claim is made with the idea that a settlement will be cheaper than taking it to court.”

Sheeran says he will quit music if he loses his copyright trial

Wednesday 3 May 2023 00:41 , Tom Murray

Speaking in Manhattan court on Monday (1 May), Sheeran reportedly said of a prospective guilty verdict (according to MailOnline): “If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping.”

“I find it really insulting to devote my whole life to being a performer and a songwriter and have someone diminish it,” he added.

Ed Sheeran threatens to quit music if he loses copyright trial

Tuesday 2 May 2023 23:30 , Inga Parkel

Didn’t Ed Sheeran already fight a similar lawsuit?

Tuesday 2 May 2023 23:15 , Inga Parkel

Yes. In April 2022, Ed Sheeran won another copyright lawsuit after he was accused of plagiarising his song “Shape of You” from Sami Chokri’s 2015 track “Oh Why”.

Why is Ed Sheeran being sued?

Tuesday 2 May 2023 23:06 , Inga Parkel

In 2017, the British singer was sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, Martin Gaye’s co-writer of the 1973 soul classic.

They claim that Sheeran’s 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud” has “striking similarities” to “Let’s Get It On” and “overt common elements” that violate the song’s copyright.

Read more:

Ed Sheeran copyright trial: Everything you need to know about Marvin Gaye plagiarism case

Singer is in court to defend himself over claims he stole from the most famous R&B anthem of all time