Ed Sheeran Cleared In Marvin Gaye Copyright Suit

 

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran was cleared by a Manhattan federal jury on Thursday in a lawsuit that accused him of ripping off Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On.”

The British singer-songwriter stood up and hugged his lawyers after the verdict came in finding he had independently created his 2014 hit song “Thinking Out Loud” and not copied elements of Gaye’s 1973 R&B classic.

The jurors – three men and four women – deliberated for under three hours before coming to a decision, reports The NY Post.

The decision, expected to be read in Manhattan federal court later Thursday, followed a two-week trial that saw Sheeran, 32, take the stand — and perform songs — for the jury.

Jurors heard from dueling music experts who composed arguments about whether “Thinking Out Loud” used musical elements — like chord progression, melodies and anticipation — that were previously used in “Let’s Get it On.”

Sheeran – dressed in a black suit, grey tie and white shirt – denied that he copied “Let’s Get it On” when he wrote his song.

The “Shape of You” singer appeared regularly in court during the trial and treated the courtroom twice to an intimate concert, where he played acoustic renditions of his hit song.

He testified that he would walk away from his music career if the plaintiffs won ownership of the chord progression featured in “Thinking Out Loud.”