Let’s Get ‘Let’s Get It On’ Trial On, Judge Says

Copyright infringement claims by the co-writer of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 hit “Let’s Get It On” against Ed Sheeran will continue to a jury trial, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled Feb. 6.

The heirs of songwriter Edward Townsend, who co-wrote “Let’s Get It On” and owned rights in the song when he died, sued Sheeran for infringing with his hit “Thinking Out Loud.”

Judge Louis Stanton will allow a jury to determine whether the “Let’s Get It On” chord progression and harmonic rhythms are protectable under the Copyright Act, as well as whether elements ...