Supreme Court Upholds Ed Sheeran Victory in Marvin Gaye Copyright Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to revive the copyright infringement lawsuit accusing Ed Sheeran of copying elements from Marvin Gaye’s 1973 classic "Let's Get It On" in his 2014 hit "Thinking Out Loud," effectively ending the long-running legal battle. Structured Asset Sales, which owns a partial copyright interest in Gaye's song, alleged Sheeran unlawfully copied melody, harmony, and rhythm, but lower courts ruled these musical elements were too generic to warrant copyright protection. This decision follows a separate 2023 jury trial where Sheeran was also cleared of similar claims brought by the heirs of Gaye’s co-writer, Ed Townsend. Legal experts view the Supreme Court’s refusal as a strong message against overprotecting basic musical components, which could stifle creativity in pop and R&B music. Sheeran expressed frustration over repeated accusations, emphasizing the hard work behind his music. The ruling underscores ongoing debates about originality in music and the scope of copyright protection.