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Ed Sheeran Wins "Thinking Out Loud" Copyright Lawsuit, Judge Rules No Infringement


Major Victory for Singer
  • Songwriter in Landmark Music Copyright Case


In a significant ruling for the music industry, a judge has ruled in favor of Ed Sheeran in the high

  • profile copyright infringement lawsuit concerning his hit song "Thinking Out Loud." The case, which alleged that Sheeran copied the classic Marvin Gaye track "Let's Get It On," concluded with a decisive victory for the British artist.


    • Details of the Copyright Infringement Claim


    The lawsuit was brought forth by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the co

  • writer of Marvin Gaye's 1973 soul classic. The plaintiffs claimed that the chord progression and harmonic rhythm in Sheeran's 2014 Grammy-winning ballad were substantially similar to those in "Let's Get It On," amounting to copyright infringement.


    • The Court's Decision and Legal Reasoning


    After a trial, the jury delivered a verdict clearing Ed Sheeran of all allegations. The defense successfully argued that the common musical elements in question, such as a standard chord progression, are building blocks of music that cannot be owned by any one artist.


    Sheeran himself testified and even performed parts of both songs live in the courtroom to demonstrate the differences. The judge's ruling emphasized that the two songs created a different "total concept and feel," which is a key test in copyright law.


    Implications for Music Creation and Copyright Law


    This verdict is seen as a crucial precedent for musicians and songwriters. It reinforces the principle that common, basic musical elements are part of the public domain and essential for creative expression. The outcome of this copyright lawsuit is expected to influence how similar cases are approached in the future.



    • Affirms that common chord progressions are not copyrightable.

    • Sets a benchmark for defining "substantial similarity" in music.

    • Provides clarity for artists who build upon shared musical traditions.


    For Sheeran, the ruling marks the end of a lengthy legal battle and a full vindication of his original work on "Thinking Out Loud."