Ed Sheeran Expected To Testify In Trial Over Alleged Illegal Use Of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’

Ed Sheeran Expected To Testify In Trial Over Alleged Illegal Use Of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’

Singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran will likely be trading his mic for the stand soon.

According to reports, the British musician is expected to testify in court over his use of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”

As previously reported, Ed Sheeran, 32, was sued by the estate of Ed Townsend back in 2017 after his breakout single “Thinking Out Loud” gained massive notoriety. The descendants and estate of Ed Townsend, who c0-wrote the 70s hit with Marvin Gaye, claimed in the official lawsuit that the pop song holds “striking similarities” to “Let’s Get It On” and “overt common elements.” Townsend’s daughter Kathryn, who has been active in pursuing the suit, reportedly stated about the matter:

“Theft and bullying has been the only priority of the record labels’ agenda. It stops today, Sony, Atlantic and all the rest of them. We’re coming for our 40 acres and a mule plus and interest. And know that we’re not going to be silent. It don’t stop till my casket drop.”

Nearly five years after its original filing, the case is finally headed to trial. The case is reportedly expected to last up to two weeks and will presumably see Sheeran take the stand. While the Grammy Award winner has not spoken himself on the trial, his lawyers have refuted the accusations. Reportedly, they argue that the classic song’s “undeniable structural symmetry points only to the foundations of popular music,” adding in the official statement:

“The two songs share versions of a similar and unprotectable chord progression that was freely available to all songwriters,”

Ed Sheeran

The report notes that jurors will likely be played both songs several times to determine if the records are similar enough to convict Sheeran, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and Atlantic Records of infringement. There is no official date of when the trial will take place at this time.

[VIA]

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