


Ed Sheeran was cleared by a Manhattan federal jury on Thursday in a lawsuit that accused him of ripping off Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On.”
The British singer-songwriter stood up and hugged his lawyers after the verdict came in finding he had independently created his 2014 hit song “Thinking Out Loud” and not copied elements of Gaye’s 1973 R&B classic.
The jurors – three men and four women – deliberated for under three hours before coming to a decision.
The decision, expected to be read in Manhattan federal court later Thursday, followed a two-week trial that saw Sheeran, 32, take the stand — and perform songs — for the jury.
Jurors heard from dueling music experts who composed arguments about whether “Thinking Out Loud” used musical elements — like chord progression, melodies and anticipation — that were previously used in “Let’s Get it On.”
Sheeran – dressed in a black suit, grey tie and white shirt – denied that he copied “Let’s Get it On” when he wrote his song.
The “Shape of You” singer appeared regularly in court during the trial and treated the courtroom twice to an intimate concert, where he played acoustic renditions of his hit song.
He testified that he would walk away from his music career if the plaintiffs won ownership of the chord progression featured in “Thinking Out Loud.”
The decision comes after both sides wrapped up closing arguments Wednesday.
Sheeran was being sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the co-writer of Gaye’s ever-popular song.
Kathryn Townsend Griffin – the daughter of the late Townsend — alleged in a 2017 lawsuit that Sheeran ripped off parts of her dad’s hit song to use in his own music.
The jury was tasked with determining whether Sheeran should be held liable for copyright infringement. If jurors had ruled against Sheeran, a second trial would have been held to determine the amount of damages owed to the Townsend family.
His popularity was present inside the courthouse building, from fans asking for autographs in the court hallways to a cafeteria worker posing for a selfie one morning.