Ed Sheeran Trial Update: Musicologists 'Criminal' Testimony Insulted Singer?

Ed Sheeran is not mincing his words after receiving a pretty damning conclusion from a musicologist last week who said his song was indeed similar to the contested song by the late music icon Marvin Gaye.

Sheeran was sued for copyright infringement by co-writers of Marvin Gaye's song "Let's Get It On" because of the alleged similarity of the song to his smash hit "Thinking Out Loud."

Ed Sheeran Trial Update

Speaking to The New York Times recently, the Grammy-winning singer opened up about his thoughts and feelings after a week of court proceedings.

"I think what he is doing is criminal," Sheeran revealed to the publication, referencing the testimony of musicologist Alexander Stewart last week about how similar his music was to Marvin Gaye's song.

Expounding more about his feelings, Sheeran said that he found that "really insulting" to have Stewart come in and say that "We don't believe you, you must have stolen it."

Earlier, Sheeran performed in court a slew of other songs from other artists, including Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Blackstreet, Nina Simone, and even Van Morrisson, to debunk Stewart's claims - noting that the four chords he was pointing out can be found on many other pop songs.

According to Variety, Stewart testified that the songs have the same "harmonic rhythm," and based on his point of view, it was "very, very similar."

Ed Sheeran Copyright Trial Explained

Three of the heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend, credited as the co-writer of Gaye on the 1973 song, sued Sony Music Publishing, Warner Music Group, and Ed Sheeran for allegedly infringing on the song "Let's Get It On" for his song "Thinking Out Loud."

The opposing side's legal counsel pointed out that Sheeran "confessed" to doing it by performing the said two songs in a performance in Switzerland in 2014.

Sheeran tried to dismiss the trial last year, arguing that the said four-chord progression they are claiming to be infringed. The singer noted it was an unprotected element found in various pop songs throughout history.

The presiding judge, however, junked the appeal noting that despite being unprotected elements, it could still constitute an infringement.

Sheeran's "Shape of You" was also hit out with an infringement lawsuit too, but proved triumphant against the accusers.

Tags

Ed Sheeran, Marvin Gaye