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Ed Sheeran is set to testify in court today, Monday April 24, in a copyright trial over allegations the singer's 2014 song "Thinking Out Loud" ripped off Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The heirs of Gaye's co-writer filed the lawsuit in 2017 and have finally made it to a trial expected to last a week in the Manhattan federal courtroom. They claim the song has “striking similarities” to “Let’s Get It On” and “overt common elements” that violate their copyright.
"Let's Get It On" became one of Motown Records' best-known singles, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Pop Singles in September 1973.
"The two songs share versions of a similar and unprotectable chord progression that was freely available to all songwriters," Sheeran's attorney said in a court filing. While the jury will hear the recordings of both songs, probably many times, their lyrics — and vibes — are legally insignificant. Jurors are supposed only to consider the raw melody, harmony, and rhythm elements that make up the composition of “Let’s Get It On,” as documented on sheet music filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [Read More]