16 Jun 2025 17:15 PM US Supreme Court rejects bid to revive copyright suit over Ed Sheeran hit 'Thinking Out Loud'
The U.S. Supreme Court turned away on Monday a bid to revive a copyright infringement lawsuit accusing pop star Ed Sheeran of unlawfully copying from the late singer Marvin Gaye's 1973 classic "Let's Get It On" in his 2014 hit song "Thinking Out Loud."
The justices declined to hear an appeal by Structured Asset Sales, a company owned by investment banker David Pullman that has a copyright interest in Gaye's song, of a judge's decision to dismiss the case. The company had sued Sheeran, his record label Warner Music (WMG.O), opens new tab and music publisher Sony Music Publishing (6758.T), opens new tab, seeking monetary damages over alleged similarities between the two songs.
Gaye, who died in 1984, collaborated with singer-songwriter Ed Townsend, who died in 2003, to write "Let's Get It On," which topped the Billboard charts. Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015.
Structured Asset Sales owns a share of the rights to "Let's Get It On" that previously belonged to Townsend. Its lawsuit accused Sheeran of misusing copyrighted elements of "Let's Get It On" including its melody, harmony and rhythm.
U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton decided in 2023 that the musical elements that Sheeran was accused of copying were too common to merit copyright protection.
The New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision last year. The 2nd Circuit also rejected the Structured Asset Sales argument that Stanton should have considered elements of "Let's Get It On" that were not found in the "deposit copy" of the song's sheet music submitted to the U.S. Copyright Office.
In a 2023 trial in a separate copyright lawsuit over the same issue filed by Townsend's heirs, a jury in Manhattan federal court ruled in favor of Sheeran.
"It's devastating to be accused of stealing someone else's song when we've put so much work into our livelihoods," Sheeran said outside the courthouse following that verdict.
Structured Asset Sales has filed another lawsuit against Sheeran based on its rights to the audio recording of "Let's Get It On." That case is currently on hold.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
3 days ago
- LBCI
Anna Wintour steps down as editor of US Vogue after nearly 40 years: US media
Magazine legend Anna Wintour is stepping down as editor of fashion bible U.S. Vogue after 37 years in the post, U.S. media reported on Thursday. Wintour, 75, who took the helm at the influential publication in 1988, announced her departure at a staff meeting, but she will stay on as group owner Conde Nast's global chief content officer and as editorial director at Vogue, People magazine reported. AFP
MTV Lebanon
16-06-2025
- MTV Lebanon
16 Jun 2025 17:15 PM US Supreme Court rejects bid to revive copyright suit over Ed Sheeran hit 'Thinking Out Loud'
The U.S. Supreme Court turned away on Monday a bid to revive a copyright infringement lawsuit accusing pop star Ed Sheeran of unlawfully copying from the late singer Marvin Gaye's 1973 classic "Let's Get It On" in his 2014 hit song "Thinking Out Loud." The justices declined to hear an appeal by Structured Asset Sales, a company owned by investment banker David Pullman that has a copyright interest in Gaye's song, of a judge's decision to dismiss the case. The company had sued Sheeran, his record label Warner Music (WMG.O), opens new tab and music publisher Sony Music Publishing (6758.T), opens new tab, seeking monetary damages over alleged similarities between the two songs. Gaye, who died in 1984, collaborated with singer-songwriter Ed Townsend, who died in 2003, to write "Let's Get It On," which topped the Billboard charts. Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015. Structured Asset Sales owns a share of the rights to "Let's Get It On" that previously belonged to Townsend. Its lawsuit accused Sheeran of misusing copyrighted elements of "Let's Get It On" including its melody, harmony and rhythm. U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton decided in 2023 that the musical elements that Sheeran was accused of copying were too common to merit copyright protection. The New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision last year. The 2nd Circuit also rejected the Structured Asset Sales argument that Stanton should have considered elements of "Let's Get It On" that were not found in the "deposit copy" of the song's sheet music submitted to the U.S. Copyright Office. In a 2023 trial in a separate copyright lawsuit over the same issue filed by Townsend's heirs, a jury in Manhattan federal court ruled in favor of Sheeran. "It's devastating to be accused of stealing someone else's song when we've put so much work into our livelihoods," Sheeran said outside the courthouse following that verdict. Structured Asset Sales has filed another lawsuit against Sheeran based on its rights to the audio recording of "Let's Get It On." That case is currently on hold.
MTV Lebanon
16-06-2025
- MTV Lebanon
Son of Estée Lauder, who took the brand global, dies aged 92
Leonard Lauder, the businessman who built Estée Lauder into one of the world's biggest cosmetic makers, has died aged 92. Lauder joined his parents' company in 1958 and served as chief executive for 17 years. He was an accomplished dealmaker and bought brands including Clinique, Bobbi Brown and MAC. "He was an icon and pioneer, earning respect worldwide. His energy and vision helped shape our company and will continue to do so for generations to come", said Stephane de La Faverie, chief executive of Estée Lauder. The New York-born billionaire had an estimated fortune of $10.1bn (£7.5bn), according to the 2025 Forbes rich list. Lauder passed away on Saturday surrounded by his family, said Estée Lauder in a statement. Born in 1933, he was the eldest son of Estée and Joseph Lauder. He served as a lieutenant in the US Navy before joining the family business. At the time, the firm's annual sales were less than $1m - about $11m in today's money. It is now a global cosmetics giant, operating in 150 countries with sales of $15.6bn last year. Lauder led the firm's expansion into Europe and Asia and created its first ever research and development laboratory. He took the company public in 1995, with its share price rising 33% on the first day of trading in New York. Lauder stepped down as chief executive in 1999. He remained involved with the business and was chairman emeritus until his death. Celebrities and business people have been paying tribute to Lauder. Elizabeth Hurley, who got her first modelling job with his company, said on Instagram: "I called him my American Daddy and I can't imagine a world without him." Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief at Forbes Media, said Lauder "lived life well, & his passing is the world's loss'." "His legacy will be felt for generations to come," said multi-billionaire and former New York mayor, Mike Bloomberg. Away from business, Lauder was passionate about art. In 2013, he pledged his billion-dollar collection of Cubist artworks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He was also an advocate for cancer research and served as the honorary chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
