ARTICLE · 03 NOVEMBER 2022

Copyright: Sheeran, Botticelli And Truss

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In this article, we'll discuss three copyright-related stories that have made headlines and contain some interesting lessons.

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In this article, we'll discuss three copyright-related stories that have made headlines and contain some interesting lessons.

ED SHEERAN (YES, AGAIN)

We recently discussed the well-publicised case where Ed Sheeran successfully fought off a UK High Court copyright claim relating to his song Shape of You. When the verdict was announced, Sheeran said that he hoped that there would be no more "baseless" copyright claims. He also previously said this: "There's only so many notes and very few chords used in pop music. Coincidence is bound to happen if 60 000 songs are being released every day on Spotify."

Thinking out loud

Whether or not it is baseless remains to be seen. A further claim is taking place in the USA and it relates to Sheeran's song Thinking Out Loud. it is alleged that Sheeran copied aspects of Marvin Gaye's 1973 hit Let's Get It On. The plaintiff claims that there are similarities relating to "melody, rhythms, harmonies, drums, bass lines,

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