Ed Sheeran shows how he won his copyright case by playing his guitar in the courtroom

Ed Sheeran recently emerged victorious in a copyright infringement case, showcasing his musical prowess and defending his creative freedom.

In an interview with Howard Stern, Sheeran shared his approach to persuading the jury that the chord progression in his hit song Thinking Out Loud should not be subject to copyright protection. 

During the interview, Sheeran took out his guitar, to show Stern and his listeners how Thinking Out Loud - which features a popular I - iii - IV - V chord progression in the key of D - has been used in numerous songs throughout time.

Seamlessly transitioning into well-known tunes like Van Morrison's Have I Told You Lately, The Temptations' My Girl, and Shania Twain's You're Still The One, Sheeran aimed to demonstrate that this chord sequence is widely used across different songs, including the contested Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye. 

Recalling his courtroom performance, Sheeran shared, "There were 101 songs, and that was just scratching the surface. Yes, it's a chord sequence commonly heard in successful songs, but if you claim that a song from 1973 exclusively owns it, what about all the songs that came before? We even found similar melodic elements in songs from the 1700s!" 

While affirming the importance of copyright protection for songs, Sheeran firmly asserted that chord sequences should not be copyrightable.

"You just can't copyright a chord sequence - you just can't," he stated with conviction.

When asked if he would have quit music had the verdict been unfavorable, Sheeran confessed, "I genuinely believe I would've, because it takes away the joy when you're told you can't use a G chord to a C chord simply because someone did it in the '60s." 

Ed Sheeran's recent legal triumph highlights his unwavering dedication to his craft and his vibrant enthusiasm for exploring the vast realm of music.

With his undeniable talent and creative spirit, Sheeran continues to captivate audiences worldwide through his heartfelt compositions and remarkable performances.