Ed Sheeran Prevails in Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over 'Thinking Out Loud' vs. 'Let's Get It On'
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to revive a copyright infringement lawsuit against Ed Sheeran, alleging that his song "Thinking Out Loud" copied Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." Structured Asset Sales, the company behind the lawsuit, sought damages from Sheeran, Warner Music, and Sony Music Publishing for similarities between the two songs. However, the court dismissed the case, stating that the musical elements in question were too common for copyright protection.
Marvin Gaye, who co-wrote "Let's Get It On" with Ed Townsend, saw the song top the Billboard charts. In contrast, Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Structured Asset Sales, which owns a share of the song's rights, accused Sheeran of using copyrighted elements like melody, harmony, and rhythm without permission.
Despite the lawsuit's dismissal, Structured Asset Sales has filed another lawsuit against Sheeran based on its rights to the audio recording of "Let's Get It On." This ongoing case is currently on hold.
In a separate copyright lawsuit over the same issue, a jury ruled in favor of Sheeran in 2023. Sheeran expressed relief outside the courthouse, emphasizing the impact of being accused of song theft on his career and livelihood.
In conclusion, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear the appeal in the copyright infringement lawsuit against Ed Sheeran marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over alleged song copying. Despite the dismissal of the case, Structured Asset Sales continues to pursue legal action against Sheeran based on its rights to the audio recording of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On."