High Court turns down copyright dispute case, claiming Ed Sheeran plagiarized Marvin Gaye's composition.
Ed Sheeran Wins Supreme Court Copyright Battle Over "Thinking Out Loud"
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has sided with pop sensation Ed Sheeran, dismissing a copyright infringement lawsuit that alleged his hit single "Thinking Out Loud" copies Marvin Gaye's classic song "Let's Get It On".
For years, Sheeran has been embroiled in legal battles to defend his smash hit. back in 2023, a jury concluded that "Thinking Out Loud", which won a Grammy in 2016, did not infringe on the copyright registered in 1973.
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the appeal upholds a decision from the New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of Sheeran. The lawsuit before the high court was filed by a company that owned a share in the royalties from "Let's Get It On".
The central question before the justices was whether the appeals court gave undue deference to the U.S. Copyright Office interpretation of the 1909 Copyright Act. The Supreme Court's conservative majority has recently limited the circumstances under which courts should defer to the interpretations of vague laws by federal agencies, overturning a 1984 precedent - Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council.
The Copyright Office determined that protections for the song were limited to the handwritten sheet music Gaye's co-writer, Ed Townsend, had submitted in the 1970s. The investors argued that Sheeran's song copied elements of "Let's Get It On", such as the drums and tempo. They claimed that the rights to many other songs were at stake in this case.
However, Sheeran's lawyers countered their arguments. They stated that the sheet music did not indicate a tempo and contended that the text of the copyright law was clear and did not necessitate court deference to the Copyright Office's interpretation.
The implications of this decision are profound as it sets a legal precedent regarding copyright infringement in the music industry. The courts seem to be maintaining a distinction between common musical elements and those that are unique enough to be copyrighted. This reaffirms that generic musical components are not protected under copyright law unless they significantly impact the overall musical work.
In essence, the Supreme Court's decision is a significant legal victory for Ed Sheeran, confirming that "Thinking Out Loud" does not infringe upon Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" under U.S. copyright law.
In the wake of this victory, the Supreme Court decision might trigger a shift in the entertainment landscape, potentially affecting the way celebrities and their legal teams approach copyright issues in the music industry. For instance, future lawsuits involving musicians like Sheeran and popular songs might face increased scrutiny, with the courts favoring a more discerning approach towards identifying unique musical elements that warrant copyright protection.
