Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran was found not liable Thursday in a copyright infringement lawsuit that alleged his hit "Thinking Out Loud" stole elements from the iconic 1973 Marvin Gaye song "Let's Get It On," multiple news outlets reported, marking a victory for the music industry.
Recording artist Ed Sheeran arrives to New York Federal Court as proceedings continue in his ... [+]
The verdict follows a week-long trial in Manhattan federal court—the jury began deliberating for about five minutes on Wednesday before being sent home and told to return the following day.
The lawsuit was brought by the descendents of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote “Let’s Get It On” with Gaye, and focused on musical composition elements like harmonies, lyrics and melodies.
The plaintiff’s lawyers argued it was “more likely than not” that Sheeran and his co-writer, Amy Wadge, didn’t write the song independently, and said Sheeran’s team was counting on the jury to be “very, very overwhelmed by his commercial success,” CNN reported.
In closing arguments on Wednesday, Sheeran’s lawyer argued if the jury sides with the plaintiffs, it could have “a devastating impact on future musicians” and creativity could be stifled, according to the New York Times.
Ed Sheeran not liable in Marvin Gaye copyright battle, jury rules (Washington Post)
Live updates: Jury finds Ed Sheeran did not infringe in copyright case (CNN)
Ed Sheeran Copyright Trial Goes to the Jury. Here’s What to Know. (New York Times)
Jury briefly deliberates in Ed Sheeran copyright infringement case before ending for the day (CNN)
Let’s Get The Trial On: How Ed Sheeran's Court Case Can Impact Artists And Their Estates (Forbes)