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Ed Sheeran Wins Copyright Battle Over 'Thinking Out Loud'

6/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Ed Sheeran triumphed in a copyright battle over his hit "Thinking Out Loud," as a New York jury sided with him against claims from Ed Townsend's family, co-writer of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The jury ruled that the chord patterns are commonplace in pop music, leading to the dismissal of Townsend's copyright holder's appeals.

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Story summary

Ed Sheeran triumphed in a copyright battle over his hit "Thinking Out Loud," as a New York jury sided with him against claims from Ed Townsend's family, co-writer of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The jury ruled that the chord patterns are commonplace in pop music, leading to the dismissal of Townsend's copyright holder's appeals.