[Music] Marvin Gaye estate suing Ed Sheeran over copyright infringement

[Lenny Rider]

Heirs of Marvin Gaye's co-writers to sue Ed Sheeran over copyright

The heirs of Ed Townsend, Gaye's co-writer on the 1973 classic, have sued Sheeran, 32, alleging 'striking similarities' and 'overt common elements' between 'Let's Get It On' and 'Thinking Out Loud'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Once you give them both a listen they do sound a bit similar but can't you say that about lots of songs over the years?

Going on what the Gaye's got for 'Blurred Lines' there's clearly money in it.

Edit Mods can you change the thread title its the co writers estate not Marvin?

Thanks

 

[Titanic]

Isn't this the plot of a Richard Curtis film?

 

[BBassic]

When I see stories like this I'm continually amazed how Noel Gallagher managed to avoid getting sued more than he did.

Coca Cola had him for using a melody from one of their ads and bunging it into 'Shakermaker' but that's about it.

 

[Acker79]

...again.

From 2018:

Ed Sheeran sued for second time over Marvin Gaye 'rip-off'

Singer faces $100m lawsuit over claims Thinking Out Loud copied 1973 hit Let’s Get It On

www.theguardian.com

From 2021

Judge declines to dismiss new Ed Sheeran song-theft litigation that relies on newly registered Marvin Gaye copyright | Complete Music Update

completemusicupdate.com

 

[BN9 BHA]

I only clicked on this thread to see what’s going on.

 

[Crispy Ambulance]

I see you read it in the Daily Mail but I Heard It Through The Grapevine!

 

[pearl]

With all this AI shite on the horizon isn't it a bit meaningless

 

[BN9 BHA]

With all this AI shite on the horizon isn't it a bit meaningless

I don’t recognise that song

 

[Wardy's twin]

I see you read it in the Daily Mail but I Heard It Through The Grapevine!

can you tell me What's Going On

 

[Bold Seagull]

When I see stories like this I'm continually amazed how Noel Gallagher managed to avoid getting sued more than he did.

Coca Cola had him for using a melody from one of their ads and bunging it into 'Shakermaker' but that's about it.

Mad how the music business words. Apparently The Jam didn't need to pay a penny to use the Taxman bassline on Start, and none of the Beatles sued...

 

[BBassic]

Mad how the music business words. Apparently The Jam didn't need to pay a penny to use the Taxman bassline on Start, and none of the Beatles sued...

I'm a bassist and I've covered both of those songs before in bands and I've never linked the two.

Astounding.

 

[Questions]

If his estate wins a few million after a long battle they’ll realise how sweet it is.

 

[SAC]

Mad how the music business words. Apparently The Jam didn't need to pay a penny to use the Taxman bassline on Start, and none of the Beatles sued...

Indeed and Weller hasn't sued when others have seemingly infringed his copyright. I wonder if his heirs (he's got about 200 children) will start to sue when he dies?

 

[Yoda]

I thought Blurred Lines bass line sounded different enough to that claim to be dismissed and was surprised when it was rules in the Gaye Estates favour. And what with so much music having been written by now, are you ever going to get something that doesn't sound remotely different and has something somewhere that sounds like it's been ripped off by another song?

 

[schmunk]

A good article from almost 7 years ago (how has it taken this long??!?) showing how this case is a load of cobblers - given US courts, however, that doesn't preclude it from being successful...

Thinking Out Loud v. Let's Get It On | Analysis - Popular Musicology

Musicology analysis and commentary related to copyright lawsuit between Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye.

www.popularmusicology.com

 

[Icy Gull]

I'm a bassist and I've covered both of those songs before in bands and I've never linked the two.

Astounding.

Ain’t that peculiar

 

[AmexRuislip]

Not that much in it TBH.
I'd be more concerned if Jive Bunny sued the Frank Sinatra estate

 

[Acker79]

A good article from almost 7 years ago (how has it taken this long??!?) showing how this case is a load of cobblers - given US courts, however, that doesn't preclude it from being successful...

Thinking Out Loud v. Let's Get It On | Analysis - Popular Musicology

Musicology analysis and commentary related to copyright lawsuit between Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye.

www.popularmusicology.com

It hasn't. The first case was brought in 2016

Ed Sheeran sued for allegedly copying Marvin Gaye classic Let's Get It On

Sheeran’s Grammy-winning hit Thinking Out Loud copied the ‘heart’ of Gaye song, says its co-writer Ed Townsend as he sues British artist in New York

www.theguardian.com

A second attempt came up in 2018, a third in 2021 (see post 4).

 

[Triggaaar]

Heirs of Marvin Gaye's co-writers to sue Ed Sheeran over copyright

The heirs of Ed Townsend, Gaye's co-writer on the 1973 classic, have sued Sheeran, 32, alleging 'striking similarities' and 'overt common elements' between 'Let's Get It On' and 'Thinking Out Loud'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

I thought Ed had won a trial against the Gaye twats? Not sure if this is the same one or another.

Going on what the Gaye's got for 'Blurred Lines' there's clearly money in it.

They should never have won that trial. The songs have a similar vibe (just like disco songs have a similar vibe etc), but the tune and lyrics are completely different. It's a farce.

 

[schmunk]

I thought Ed had won a trial against the Gaye twats?

Reported for homophobia. You should be ashamed.