A Manhattan federal court is set to deliver a verdict in the copyright infringement case against British singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran.
Ed Sheeran threatens to quit music if found guilty
The lawsuit, filed in 2017 by the heirs of Ed Townsend, accuses Sheeran of copying elements of the 1973 classic “Let’s Get It On” that Townsend co-wrote with Marvin Gaye.
As reported by The Independent, the plaintiffs allege that Sheeran’s 2014 hit Thinking Out Loud shares harmonic progressions, melody, and rhythmic elements with the classic track without permission.
The trial, which has taken six years to reach this stage, will proceed to a second phase to determine the amount of damages if the Perfect singer is found liable for copyright infringement.
Sheeran, who has vehemently denied the allegations, has stated that his song uses common structures found in many pop tracks. If the court finds him guilty, he could face substantial damages, but Sheeran has gone on record stating that he would quit music if he loses the case.
“If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping,” he said.
During the trial, an incident occurred when Kathryn Townsend Griffin, the woman leading the lawsuit, collapsed in court. She was carried out on a stretcher after receiving medical assistance.
Her lawyer later revealed that Griffin has a pre-existing medical condition.
The trial has sparked a debate about copyright infringement and intellectual property rights in the music industry. The case is not the first of its kind, and it raises questions about the originality of songs and the blurred lines between inspiration and imitation.
The verdict, in this case, will be a significant moment in the music business, and its outcome will have repercussions for musicians and songwriters globally. The case will test the boundaries of what constitutes copyright infringement in music and highlight the importance of protecting intellectual property in creative industries.