Ed Sheeran appeared in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday, April 25, for his trial in connection with a complaint alleging him of stealing elements of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” for his own use.
The four-time Grammy winner remained silent as he passed past a throng of reporters and cameras outside the lower Manhattan courthouse.
The case, which began with jury selection on Monday, will determine whether Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” stole sections of Gaye’s renowned 1973 soul classic.
The heirs of late Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the song with Gaye, are suing the “Shape of You” singer, saying that Sheeran should share the revenue from his 2014 hit.
According to Townsend’s camp, the British singer-songwriter’s megahit used a too similar melody to “Let’s Get It On,” as well as other musical elements that created the “heart” of Gaye’s hit song.
For numerous years, the trial has been postponed.
Ed Sheeran seems solemn in court for a Federal Copyright trial over a Mavin Gaye hit.
On Monday, April 24, numerous possible jurors were barred from sitting due to their familiarity with Sheeran and previous ties to the music industry, with one potential panellist telling the judge that Sheeran’s “Perfect” was her wedding song in 2018.
The jury must decide whether Sheeran should be held accountable for infringement of intellectual property.
Townsend’s daughter, Kathryn Townsend Gryphon, said Tuesday that she was continuing the claim to achieve “justice” for her father.
“I am here for justice to protect my father’s intellectual property,” she stated as she entered the courtroom. “All I expect is for his name to be honoured, as well as his work and legacy, and for the individual in charge of our royalties to protect all artists’ intellectual property.”
