In a high-profile copyright case, a jury has found that Ed Sheeran did not copy Marvin Gaye's classic song "Let's Get It On" for his 2014 hit "Thinking Out Loud." The seven-member jury deliberated for over two hours before reaching a verdict on Thursday.
Sheeran and his co-writer Amy Wadge testified during the trial that they wrote "Thinking Out Loud" independently, and that they were not familiar with "Let's Get It On" when they wrote it. The plaintiffs, who are the heirs of Marvin Gaye's estate, argued that the two songs shared too many similarities, including the chord progression, melody, and rhythm.
The jury's verdict is a victory for Sheeran, who is one of the biggest music stars in the world. It is also a setback for the plaintiffs, who had hoped to win a large sum of money in damages.
The case is a reminder of the challenges that songwriters face in protecting their intellectual property. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile lawsuits alleging copyright infringement in the music industry. These lawsuits have raised concerns about the chilling effect they could have on creativity.
The jury's verdict in the Sheeran case is a positive development for songwriters. It sends a message that the courts will not automatically find copyright infringement simply because two songs share some similarities. This will help to ensure that songwriters are free to create new music without fear of being sued.