Defiant Ed Sheeran speaks out after jury clears him in copyright suit
Ed Sheeran stressed he was no one’s “piggy bank” Thursday after successfully battling claims that he ripped off Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On” in his own work.
The British singer-songwriter — reading from a prepared statement following the jury verdict in his favor — said it had been “devastating” to be accused of copying elements of Gaye’s 1973 R&B classic in his 2014 song “Thinking Out Loud.”
“It is devastating to be accused of stealing other people’s songs when we have put so much work into our livelihoods,” Sheeran, 32, said outside Manhattan federal court.
“I am just a guy with a guitar who loves writing music for people to enjoy,” he said. “I am not and will never allow myself to be a piggy bank for anyone to shake.”
Sheeran, dressed in a black suit, grey tie and white shirt, covered his face, stood up and hugged his lawyers in court after hearing the verdict, which found he had independently created his song and not stolen from “Let’s Get it On.”
The jurors, three men and four women, deliberated for under three hours before coming to a decision in the civil case. It followed a two-week trial that saw Sheeran take the stand — and perform songs — for the panel.
“I am obviously very happy with the outcome of the case, and it looks like I’m not going to have to retire from my day job after all,” Sheeran said outside court.
But Sheeran also expressed disappointment with having to be in New York for the trial – which caused him to miss his grandmother’s funeral in Ireland.
Jurors at trial 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 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.”
The decision comes after both sides wrapped up closing arguments Wednesday.
Sheeran was being sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the co-writer of Gaye’s ever-popular song.
Kathryn Townsend Griffin – the daughter of the late Townsend — alleged in a 2017 lawsuit that Sheeran ripped off parts of her dad’s hit song to use in his own music.
“I’m glad I just delivered this eight-year baby,” Townsend Griffin told The Post after the verdict. “I’m very relieved to put this behind me. Ed and I can now be friends.”
The jury was tasked with determining whether Sheeran should be held liable for copyright infringement. If jurors had ruled against Sheeran, a second trial would have been held to determine the amount of damages owed to the Townsend family.
His popularity was present inside the courthouse building, from fans asking for autographs in the court hallways to a cafeteria worker posing for a selfie one morning.
A jolly Sheeran offered a shy smile and head-nodded at each juror as they exited Judge Louis Stanton’s courtroom following the verdict.
One of the jurors, Amanda R., even waited around after the case wrapped to snap a selfie with Sheeran in the courthouse hallway.
Another juror said the recorded version of “Thinking Out Loud” and the sheet music of “Let’s Get it On” were key factors in making their decision.
“I personally did not [think they sounded similar] after hearing them both and knowing the old song,” 23-year-old Sophia Neis said. “I think the defendants presented a good case and response to the plaintiff.” —
