“Ed Sheeran Takes Stand in Copyright Infringement Trial Over ‘Thinking Out Loud’ and Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On'”

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is currently facing a civil trial in Manhattan, accused of ripping off Marvin Gaye’s classic tune “Let’s Get It On” in his hit song “Thinking Out Loud.” The lawsuit has been filed by descendants of Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer on the original song. Sheeran, his label Warner Music Group, and music publisher Sony Music Publishing are being asked to pay a share of the profits for allegedly copying the song. This copyright infringement trial is the first of three Sheeran could face from lawsuits over similarities between the two hits. Ben Crump, a lawyer for Townsend’s descendants, has called Sheeran’s live performance medley of Gaye’s song and “Thinking Out Loud” a “smoking gun” confession. Sheeran’s lawyer, Ilene Farkas, argues that the two songs are distinct, and the chord progression and melody used in countless songs should not be monopolized. If the jury finds Sheeran liable for copyright infringement, the trial will enter a second phase to determine the damages owed. The trial is expected to last about a week.