Ed Sheeran is a prominent figure in the contemporary pop music scene, recognized for his earworm melodies and poignant songwriting. He has fought copyright infringement lawsuits in recent years. So who is suing Ed Sheeran now? Let’s take a closer look at the latest case.
Who is Suing Ed Sheeran
Structured Asset Sales
The latest lawsuit against Ed Sheeran has been brought by a company called Structured Asset Sales. The company owns a portion of the copyright to the Marvin Gaye song “Got to Give It Up,” and they claim that Sheeran’s hit song “Thinking Out Loud” copies key elements of Gaye’s song, including its melody, harmony, and rhythm.
The proceedings commenced in April 2023 in the Southern District of New York’s United States District Court. According to reports, the trial is expected to last several weeks and will involve expert testimony and musicological analysis.
Jasmine Rae
Jasmine Rae’s lawsuit against Ed Sheeran centers around his song “The Rest of Our Life,” which was co-written by Sheeran and performed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Rae claims that the song copies key elements of her own song “When I Found You,” which she wrote with songwriters Tim Holland and Stacy Hogan.
According to reports, Rae’s legal team has hired musicologists to compare the two songs and argue that there are significant similarities between them. The outcome of the Federal Court of Australia case is unknown.
Ed Sheeran’s Legal Battles
Ed Sheeran has faced accusations of copyright infringement before. In fact, he has been sued multiple times over the years. Here are some of the most notable cases:
- In 2016, the heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend sued Sheeran, claiming that his hit song “Thinking Out Loud” copied key elements of the Marvin Gaye classic “Let’s Get It On.” The case was settled out of court in 2018 for an undisclosed sum.
- In another case, two songwriters named Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard sued Sheeran for alleged similarities between his song “Photograph” and their song “Amazing.” That case was also settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
- In 2017, a songwriting duo named Sean Carey and Beau Golden sued Sheeran, claiming that his hit song “The Rest of Our Life,” which was performed by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, copied their own song “When I Found You.” The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
The Impact on the Music Industry
The increasing number of copyright lawsuits in the music industry raises important questions about the concept of originality and the role of borrowing and reinterpreting elements of existing works in new creations.
Although it’s crucial to safeguard the intellectual property rights of creators and guarantee their just compensation, some contend that such lawsuits stifle innovation and make it increasingly challenging for artists to produce new works without the apprehension of litigation.
The Future of Ed Sheeran’s Career
Despite the legal battles, Ed Sheeran’s career has continued to thrive. He has released multiple hit albums and singles, and his music continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
However, these lawsuits have undoubtedly had an impact on his reputation and could potentially affect his future earnings. If he is found liable for copyright infringement in any of these cases, he could be facing significant financial damages.
Conclusion
While these lawsuits raise important questions about the music industry and the concept of originality, they have also had an impact on Sheeran’s reputation and future earnings. It remains to be seen how the latest case will be resolved, but one thing is clear: copyright infringement lawsuits are not going away anytime soon in the music industry.
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