27 April 2023 , 10:12
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Ed Sheeran's plagiarism trial provoked laughter in the courts as a computer generated rendition of Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On was played, according to reports.
The British hitmaker, 32, is being sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, who was the songwriter who originally composed Gaye's popular tune.
The heirs claim that Sheeran's 2014 number one, Thinking Out Loud, copied the older song's harmonic progressions and melodic and rhythmic elements without permission.
Sheeran has strenuously denied the claims and took to the stand on Tuesday to answer questions.
However, Wednesday's proceedings at the Manhattan Federal Court saw laughter inside the courtroom after a plaintiff musicology expert, Dr Alexander Stewart, played an AI recording of the soul star's song.
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Ed Sheeran testified on Tuesday (AFP via Getty Images)The robotic voice sang: "Giving yourself to me, can never be wrong," with every syllable crisply stated, according to Business Insider.
The publication said the clip saw Sheeran suppress a grin at the defence table while others laughed.
"Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on baby," the voice continued, without the usual groove fans are used to.
Gaye and co-composer Townsend repeat a four-chord progression throughout the song, the musicologist, Dr. Alexander Stewart, explained.
After the track ended, the lawyer asked the expert: "Dr Stewart, did that sound particularly soulful to you?"
Sheeran's lawyers interrupted with an "objection" call before the lawyer withdrew the question.
Townsend’s heir, Kathryn Griffin Townsend, later told Insider the AI rendition of her late father's track was "hideous".
She added: "I think he would have laughed to hear it. Because he had a sense of humour."
It's reported Griffin Townsend had collapsed and had to be carried out of court after receiving medical attention during proceedings.
On Tuesday, Sheeran told the courts he would have been an "idiot" to copy the song.
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Kathryn Townsend Griffin is said to have called the AI version 'hideous' (AFP via Getty Images)While being questioned by Keisha Rice, a lawyer for Townsend's heirs, Sheeran was also asked about his song Take It Back which contains the lyric "plagiarism is hidden".
"Those are my lyrics, yep," Ed responded before asking if he could "give some context to them".
The lawyer said she would ask if she needed more context.
He was then asked about a video from a concerts where he played a mashup of Thinking Out Loud with Let's Get It On.
Sheeran explained how he sometimes mixed songs with similar chords at his gigs, but was cut off by Rice.
According to Reuters, Ed said: "I feel like you don't want me to answer because you know that what I'm going to say is actually going to make quite a lot of sense."
The trial is expected to last about a week.