The similarity of two popular songs has led to a music star being investigated.
Jury selection begins Monday in Manhattan federal court as British pop star Ed Sheeran prepares for trial on charges he owes him a share of the profits from his hit song “Thinking Out Loud” for copies of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”.
Ed Townsend’s estate has filed a lawsuit against the songwriter, Sheeran, Warner Music Group and record label Sony Music Publishing, alleging they plagiarized the classic J song Townsend co-wrote..
The trial is the first of three that Sheeran may face over the similarities between the two hit songs.
Lawyers for Warner Music Group, Sony Music Publishing and the companies did not respond to requests for comment..
Marvin collaborated with Gaye Townsend to write the 1973 Billboard chart-topping hit “Let’s Get It On.”
Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” peaked at number two on the 2015 Billboard Hot 100..
Townsend’s estate sued Sheeran for copyright infringement in 2017, alleging that his song copied the “core” of Jay’s song, including the melody, music and rhythm..
But Sheeran argued that the similarities between the two songs were the basic “building blocks” of Insecure’s music..
And if the jury finds that Sheeran violated intellectual property rights, a Manhattan court will hold another trial to determine the amount he and the production companies should pay. The first trial is expected to last a week.
