The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a copyright appeal against pop star Ed Sheeran, upholding a lower court's decision that his song 'Thinking Out Loud' did not copy Marvin Gaye's 'Let’s Get It On.' Structured Asset Sales, which owned a share of Gaye's song royalties, had alleged infringement based on elements like drums and tempo. The Copyright Office had limited protections to the original handwritten sheet music, and a jury in a related 2023 case also sided with Sheeran.
Supreme Court declines to hear copyright appeal that alleged Ed Sheeran copied Marvin Gaye song
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a copyright appeal against pop star Ed Sheeran, upholding a lower court's decision that his song 'Thinking Out Loud' did not copy Marvin Gaye's 'Let’s Get It On.' Structured Asset Sales, which owned a share of Gaye's song royalties, had alleged infringement based on elements like drums and tempo. The Copyright Office had limited protections to the original handwritten sheet music, and a jury in a related 2023 case also sided with Sheeran.
Trending- 1 1909: Copyright Act of 1909.
- 2 1970s: Marvin Gaye's co-writer, Ed Townsend, submitted handwritten sheet music for 'Let’s Get It On'.
- 3 1973: Copyright for 'Let’s Get It On' was originally registered.
- 4 1984: Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council precedent set.
- 5 2016: Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' won a Grammy.
- 6 2023: A jury concluded that Sheeran’s song did not infringe on the copyright in a related case.
- 7 Monday, June 16, 2025: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the copyright appeal.
- Ed Sheeran's legal victory in the copyright dispute is finalized.
- The decision reinforces the interpretation of copyright protections for older musical works based on their original registrations.
- Potentially impacts future copyright litigation in the music industry.
What: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a copyright appeal against Ed Sheeran regarding his song 'Thinking Out Loud' and its alleged copying of Marvin Gaye's 'Let’s Get It On'.
When: Decision made Monday, June 16, 2025; jury verdict in 2023; 'Thinking Out Loud' won a Grammy in 2016; 'Let’s Get It On' copyright registered in 1973; Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council precedent from 1984; Copyright Act of 1909.
Where: United States (Supreme Court, New York-based 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals).
Why: Structured Asset Sales alleged copyright infringement, claiming Sheeran's song copied protected elements of 'Let’s Get It On'; the Supreme Court's decision effectively upholds the lower court's ruling in favor of Sheeran.
How: The Supreme Court declined to grant certiorari, leaving in place the decision from the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, which had sided with Sheeran based on the US Copyright Office's interpretation of the 1909 Copyright Act and the limitations of the original copyright registration.