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The Marvin Gaye/Ed Sheeran case -
Posted on 6/16/25 at 8:24 pm
Posted on 6/16/25 at 8:24 pm
Any music experts/nerds have an opinion? I didn't know about this (though I do think I'd read something about it way back). Not a musician, so other than a fan's ear, don't bring any knowledge to the table. Do follow the tuber Rick Beato a bit. He has 5 million subs, so I assume he knows a bit about music. Here's his opinion, if interested: LINK
The SC decided not to hear the case and left it in favor of Sheeran:
Article for those interested
By declining to hear the appeal, the Supreme Court left in place a decision from the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals siding with Sheeran. The suit before the high court was filed by a company called Structured Asset Sales, which owned a one-ninth interest in the royalties from “Let’s Get It On,” Gaye’s iconic Motown song.
I know there's a legal aspect to it since it's an appellate court decision they are leaving in place (interpretation of this or that), but I'm interested in the opinion of music experts on the question itself. Self identify as "expert" as needed.
My ear says there's something there, but I don't know when musical influence or ear becomes plagiarism.
The SC decided not to hear the case and left it in favor of Sheeran:
Article for those interested
By declining to hear the appeal, the Supreme Court left in place a decision from the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals siding with Sheeran. The suit before the high court was filed by a company called Structured Asset Sales, which owned a one-ninth interest in the royalties from “Let’s Get It On,” Gaye’s iconic Motown song.
I know there's a legal aspect to it since it's an appellate court decision they are leaving in place (interpretation of this or that), but I'm interested in the opinion of music experts on the question itself. Self identify as "expert" as needed.
My ear says there's something there, but I don't know when musical influence or ear becomes plagiarism.
This post was edited on 6/16/25 at 8:27 pm
5
Posted on 6/16/25 at 9:10 pm to deltadummy
Sheeran was in the middle of the trial while due to play Jazz Fest. He flew down from NY, put on a great show in New Orleans on the weekend, and flew back to NY to finish the trial. Glad he won against this IP troll.
Posted on 6/16/25 at 10:09 pm to deltadummy
Sounds Gaye
Posted on 6/17/25 at 9:33 am to deltadummy
The number of musicians that would be open to suits if this trial went against Sheeran would be astounding. Is there a similarity to the point of possibly ripping it off? Yes, absolutely; however, it's different enough to not be a direct copywrite infringement. I mean, that tranny chick Chapel Roan would get sued for her Pink Pony Club song, because that chorus melody is almost identical to an old 80s song that I can never quite dig up from my deepest of memories.
That's the way music works. Songs over your life get in your brain, and you craft new songs that can be reminiscent of them and even refreshingly new.
That's the way music works. Songs over your life get in your brain, and you craft new songs that can be reminiscent of them and even refreshingly new.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 12:11 pm to Midget Death Squad
The only way you can sue for copyright infringement in music IMO is if someone steals your exact notes and timing and lyrics. Especially lyrics.
No one gets to own a chord progression. Or a string of notes.
No one gets to own a chord progression. Or a string of notes.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 12:42 pm to Midget Death Squad
quote:
That's the way music works. Songs over your life get in your brain, and you craft new songs that can be reminiscent of them and even refreshingly new.
Exactly. I don't even try to hide it.
Say I'm working on a shuffle in E, I try to imagine if certain pickers were playing together. Right now the thing I'm working on, It's Billy Gibbons, Mark Knopfler and Dwight Yoakam. I try my best to put stuff in that triggers those musical memory flashes ( that I suspect everyone has).
Posted on 6/17/25 at 2:08 pm to deltadummy
So, he won the case by arguing that he makes extremely generic music. At least there's that.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 2:18 pm to Breesus
quote:
The only way you can sue for copyright infringement in music IMO is if someone steals your exact notes and timing and lyrics. Especially lyrics.
One of the most recent is Vanilla Ice using Queen’s Under Pressure in Ice Ice Baby.
V Ice settled out of court, ended buying the rights to Under Pressure and gave Bowie and Queen songwriting credits and royalties on the song. Truly a win win for everyone.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 3:25 pm to Breesus
That interview on Stern is the best explanation. If you sue him for chord progression, you’d have to sue everybody.
And I mean everybody going back generations. There’s only so many notes and millions of songs, and they all rip off each other.
And I mean everybody going back generations. There’s only so many notes and millions of songs, and they all rip off each other.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 6:00 pm to Rhio
Yeah, technically AC/DC could sue itself I guess. Just interesting, musically, though the entity suing is a very small minority ownership in the company that owns the song.
Posted on 6/17/25 at 8:54 pm to deltadummy
The Gayes are being ridiculous. There are only so many chords and progressions. Stuff can sound similar dometimes. I hear much more blatant ripoffs on the radio daily.
Posted on 6/18/25 at 11:34 am to deltadummy
I just listened to the Sheehan song. I don’t think it’s even a close question of copyright infringement. Sheerhan’s song is very different. The only similarity seems to be the chord progression during the verses and even then it’s very tenuous. Right decision IMO.
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