Ed Sheeran beat his final court challenge over the song Thinking Out Loud. The US Supreme Court refused to hear another appeal from people who claimed he copied Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On. Amy Wadge helped write the hit song and called the decision a huge relief. She told BBC Radio that legal battles had haunted her life for ten years. The ruling protects other musicians from similar lawsuits.
Sheeran and Wadge created Thinking Out Loud back during 2014 and it became a massive worldwide hit. The song won Song of the Year at the 2016 Grammy Awards and reached number one across many countries. Ed Townsend's estate first sued them claiming the melodies sounded alike. A jury disagreed and dismissed the case during May 2023.
Investment company Structure Asset Sales appealed the verdict hoping to overturn the decision. Wadge worried that losing would hurt all songwriters and make creating music more dangerous. The Supreme Court rejection means no more appeals can happen. Musicians can use basic chord patterns without fear of expensive legal fights. Creative artists won protection from people trying to claim ownership of common musical elements.
Sheeran and Wadge created Thinking Out Loud back during 2014 and it became a massive worldwide hit. The song won Song of the Year at the 2016 Grammy Awards and reached number one across many countries. Ed Townsend's estate first sued them claiming the melodies sounded alike. A jury disagreed and dismissed the case during May 2023.
Investment company Structure Asset Sales appealed the verdict hoping to overturn the decision. Wadge worried that losing would hurt all songwriters and make creating music more dangerous. The Supreme Court rejection means no more appeals can happen. Musicians can use basic chord patterns without fear of expensive legal fights. Creative artists won protection from people trying to claim ownership of common musical elements.
