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Tag: Shape of You

  • Ed Sheeran wins copyright case over 2017 hit ‘Shape of You’ 

    By PTI

    LONDON: Grammy Award-winning songwriter Ed Sheeran won a U.K. copyright battle over his 2017 hit “Shape of You” on Wednesday, then slammed what he described as a “culture” of baseless lawsuits intended to squeeze money out of artists eager to avoid the expense of a trial.

    The British pop star and his co-writers, Snow Patrol’s John McDaid and producer Steven McCutcheon, had denied allegations that the song copied part of 2015′s “Oh Why” by Sami Chokri, who performs under the name Sami Switch.

    “Whilst we’re obviously happy with the result, I feel like claims like this are way too common now and have become a culture where a claim is made with the idea that a settlement will be cheaper than taking it to court, even if there is no basis for the claim,” Sheeran said in a video posted on Twitter. “It’s really damaging to the songwriting industry.”

    Andrew Sutcliffe, the lawyer for the co-writers of “Oh Why,″ argued that there was an “indisputable similarity between the works.” He claimed that Sheeran had “Oh Why” in his head “consciously or unconsciously” when “Shape of You” was written in 2016.

    The plaintiffs alleged that the refrain “Oh I, Oh I, Oh I” in the chorus of “Shape Of You” was “strikingly similar” to the line “Oh why, Oh why, Oh why” in their track.

    ALSO READ | Ed Sheeran faces legal trouble over 2017 hit song ‘Shape of You’

    During the 11-day trial, Sheeran denied allegations that he “borrows” ideas from unknown songwriters without acknowledgment and said he has always been fair in crediting people who contribute to his albums.

    In Wednesday’s ruling, High Court Judge Antony Zacaroli concluded that Sheeran “neither deliberately nor subconsciously” copied a phrase from “Oh Why″ when writing his smash hit.

    Sheeran, McDaid and Mac said in a statement that the cost of the case was more than financial. The stress of going to trial also hurts creativity means less time to make music and takes an emotional toll, they said.

    “It is so painful to hear someone publicly and aggressively challenge your integrity,″ the trio said. “It is so painful to have to defend yourself against accusations that you have done something that you haven’t done, and would never do.″

    “Shape of You” was the biggest-selling song in the U.K. in 2017.

  • Ed Sheeran awaits verdict over copyright court battle

    By Associated Press

    An 11-day trial over the copyright of Ed Sheeran’s hit song “Shape of You” concluded in London on Tuesday, with the judge saying he would take some time to consider his ruling.

    The British pop star and his co-writers, Snow Patrol’s John McDaid and producer Steven McCutcheon, denies accusations that the 2017 song copies part of a 2015 song called “Oh Why” by Sami Chokri, who performs under the name Sami Switch.

    Lawyer Andrew Sutcliffe, representing the “Oh Why” co-writers, argued there was an “indisputable similarity between the works” and suggested the chances of two songs that “correlate” appearing within months of each other was “minutely small.”

    The lawyer claimed that Sheeran had “Oh Why” “consciously or unconsciously in his head” when “Shape of You” was written in 2016. He also alleged that Sheeran, who attended the hearing throughout, was dishonest and evasive in giving evidence to the trial.

    Sheeran and his co-writers say they have disclosed material to the trial and do not remember hearing “Oh Why” before the court case.

    Justice Antony Zacaroli said Tuesday he would deliver his judgment “as soon as I can.” “Shape of You” was the biggest selling song in the U.K. in 2017.

  • Ed Sheeran faces legal trouble over 2017 hit song ‘Shape of You’

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON:: British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran has found himself in legal trouble as a copyright lawsuit has been filed over his 2017 hit single ‘Shape of You’. According to Variety, this case, which is the culmination of a 4-year legal battle between Sheeran and songwriters Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue, will be heard in London’s High Court.

    Chokri, better known under his pseudonym Sami Switch, is a grime artist, while O’Donoghue is a producer. Both of them have alleged that Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’ bears similarities to Chakri’s single ‘Oh Why’. On ‘Shape of You’, Sheeran holds the credit as its lyricist alongside Patrol singer Johnny McDaid and producer Steven McCutcheon.

    All of them along with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Rokstone Music Limited, Polar Patrol Music and Kobalt Music, in 2018, had issued legal proceedings against Chokri and O’Donoghue in a bid to get a legal declaration saying there was no copyright infringement.

    A counterclaim was issued by Chokri and O’Donoghue two months later alleging copyright infringement and asking for damages and an account of profits, suggested reports. The Performing Rights Society (PRS), which collects royalties on behalf of artists, has suspended royalties to Sheeran, McDaid and McCutcheon while the dispute is ongoing, according to reports.

    This is not the first instance of Sheeran being sued over copyright infringement. Previously, in 2016, he was sued over his single ‘Photograph’, and two years later was sued for USD 100 million due to ‘Thinking Out Loud’.

    As per Variety, the lawsuit over ‘Photograph’ was settled out of court but the battle over ‘Thinking Out Loud’ is believed to still be ongoing. This new trial will be heard before Mr Justice Zacaroli and is expected to last three weeks.