Ed Sheeran wins 133.9 billion won trial over 'plagiarism stigma'

Singer Ed Sheeran cleared the stigma of plagiarism.

According to foreign media such as the American entertainment media Entertainment Tonight on the 5th (Korean time), a New York City jury ruled that Ed Sheeran's 2014 song 'Thinking Out Loud' was Marvin Gaye's 1973 hit song 'Let's Get It On'. The verdict was that '(Let's Get It On)' was not plagiarized.

When the verdict was read, Sheeran hugged his defense team in the courtroom and enjoyed the joy of victory. “It was such a shock to be accused of stealing someone else’s song,” he told reporters outside the court. He then recalled that he had pledged to quit his music career if he lost this trial, and confessed that it was surprising and difficult for him to have to go to a formal trial for something like this.

This lawsuit was filed in 2017 by the surviving family of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote 'Let's Get It On', against Sheeran, Warner Music, and Sony Music. It was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a legal conclusion was reached after about six years.

Townshend's family claimed that 'Sinking Out Loud' "copied the core" of "Let's Get It On" - the melody, chords and rhythm - and that the syncopated chord patterns in the two songs were similar. Meanwhile, Ed Townsend requested $100 million (approximately 133.9 billion won) in compensation.

Sheeran and his lawyers acknowledged that the chords of the two songs were similar, but countered that they were not subject to legal copyright protection, saying that this was only a very common musical element that appeared in dozens of other songs.

Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr