copyright infringement lawsuit

DJ Paul Sued For Reposting Texas Tornado Video

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DJ Paul is back in the headlines again but for nothing music related. This time he is in some legal problems with a company by the name of Viral DRM. This original video was captured by a man named Ronald Brian Emfinger and it is of a tornado that tore up part of Elgin, Texas. It is a small town that is 25 miles east of downtown Austin with a small population of right around 8000.

The rights were bought by Viral DRM, which according to their website, “Was founded by the world’s leading content creators who have captured many of the world’s major weather and news events. We work with our professional colleagues and partners in rights management, copyright, and licensing of video and photographic content.” With that in mind, DJ Paul is being sued for copyright infringement for reposting the video with no permission granted. Viral DM is suing since they are claiming they have the ability to make money from the clip. However, Paul’s reposting has made that a challenge, and that, therefore, is the reason for this lawsuit.

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How Much Damage Did The Tornado Cause?

Apparently, multiple tornadoes hit different parts of Texas and the town of Elgin happened to be in the crossfire. It was reported that responders originally identified 60 plus homes that were damaged or totally wiped out. Trees were also being uprooted by the violent winds. Furthermore, they also knocked down multiple power lines in the area. Elgin officials publicly stated one person received an injury that was non-life-threatening.  

After taking all of this in, what are your thoughts on this entire situation with DJ Paul? How much should he be accountable for? Have you seen the video of this Texas tornado? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Be sure to tell us all of your opinions below in the comments section. Additionally, keep it locked with HNHH for all the latest news music, and legal news as well.

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Ed Sheeran Explains How He Beat His Copyright Lawsuit

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Ed Sheeran has had an eventful couple of weeks. The singer has recently been battling the estate of Marvin Gaye’s co-writer the late Ed Townsend. Sheeran was being sued for similarities between his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud” and Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On.” However, throughout the case, Ed Sheeran and his defense team expressed the similarities were moot. His legal team stated that similar notes within the structure of the song are used in a multitude of songs we listen to all the time. Moreover, Sheeran even went as far as saying he would quit making music if found guilty.

Furthermore, the jury later deliberated and found Ed Sheeran not liable for copyright infringement. Thankfully the Division artist will continue to make music for our listening pleasure. Recently, Good Morning America caught up with Sheeran in an interview and he shared a few of his thoughts regarding the case. He revealed why he felt the jury’s decision went in his favor. Moreover, Sheeran said there were “101 songs with the same chord sequence, and that was just, like, scratching the surface.” The singer mentioned the jury, “was very quick to see that and be like, ‘Oh, yeah.’”

Ed Sheeran Sets The Record Straight

Although Ed Sheeran was being hyperbolic when saying it was over 100 songs with the same chord sequence to express a multitude, his point still reigned true. Since news of the lawsuit surfaced, Sheeran has swiftly and firmly denied all the allegations against him. Despite his song having similarities in chord progression and tempo, the singer was confident the jury would believe him. So much so he even performed “Thinking Out Loud” in a solo performance via acoustic guitar in the courtroom. It’s safe to say that, along with his testimony, helped sway the jury in his favor.

As if that wasn’t enough, the “Shape of You” singer even mashed his hit song with other similar sounding songs. When asked what prompted him to bring his guitar he said, “I’d been wanting to do it for ages since it came out, but you have to do due diligence in court.” Sheeran added, “So I just waited and knew that I would have my day to explain it and didn’t rush anything.” Meanwhile, a New York jury took no time at all (3 hours) to deliberate to reach a verdict in his favor. Outside the courtroom, Sheeran said, “These chords are common building blocks which were used to create music long before ‘Let’s Get It On’ was written and will be used to make music long after we are all gone.” For more music news tap into HNHH for the latest.

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Ed Sheeran Found Not Liable In Copyright Trial

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Ed Sheeran has been in the headlines recently over his lawsuit against Marvin Gaye’s estate. Additionally, his estate alleges the U.K. singer is being sued for copyright infringement. Moreover, Gaye’s estate claims Ed Sheeran’s 2014 smash hit “Thinking Out Loud,” has striking similarities to Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On.” Specifically, Sheeran was hit with the lawsuit by Gaye’s co-writer Ed Townsend. He slammed the songwriter with allegations of “ripping” key elements from Gaye’s 1973 hit. The co-writer claimed the harmony and even the melody were taken from the song. However, Ed Sheeran’s defense team says otherwise.

Sheeran’s legal team told the courts that the elements of the song structurally, are undeniable. However, they also mentioned the symmetry points solely to the foundation of music. “The two songs share versions of a similar and unprotectable chord progression that was freely available to all songwriters,” said Sheeran’s defense team. Not only that, due to this case, it’s taken quite a toll on the “Shape of You” singer. When asked how the trial has affected him Ed Sheeran gave quite a somber response.

Ed Sheeran’s Not Quitting Music

Musician Ed Sheeran arrives for his copyright infringement trial at Manhattan Federal Court on May 04, 2023 in New York City. Sheeran is being sued for copyright infringement for his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud.” He is accused of copying Marvin Gaye’s legendary R&B song “Let’s Get It On”. Jury deliberations have began in the trial. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The musician said, “I find it really insulting to devote my whole life to being a performer and a songwriter and have someone diminish it.” Not only that he noted if found guilty he would quit and stop making music. However, it appears that won’t be the case for the Grammy winning artist. Today the jury deliberated and made their verdict. The jury finds Ed Sheeran not liable for the copyright of Marvin Gaye’s “Lets Get It On.”

The singer received the verdict today after the jury made their decision. Thankfully we’ll still be getting new music from the Division musician. However, who knows how long that’ll be ’til we get anything new from Sheeran, due to the circumstances. Let us know what you think of the verdict in the comments below!

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Ed Sheeran Vows To Quit Music

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It’s been a rough few weeks for Ed Sheeran. The singer has been in court due to a copyright lawsuit against Marvin Gaye’s estate. Additionally, Sheeran has been testifying in court for the “striking similarities” in his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud” to Gaye’s classic, “Let’s Get It On.” Despite being filed in 2017, the case has finally made its way to a judge. Ed Sheeran received a Grammy for Song of the Year for the single upon its release. The jury is instructed to consider the raw elements of melody, harmony, and rhythm, that make up the composition of the Motown classic.

However, Ed Sheeran’s legal team denies all allegations. They said the elements of the song structurally are undeniable. With that being said, Sheeran’s team also noted that the symmetry points solely to the foundation of popular music. “The two songs share versions of a similar and unprotectable chord progression that was freely available to all songwriters,” said Ed Sheeran’s legal team. Moreover, this isn’t the first time Marvin Gaye’s estate has sued for similarities. Robin Thick, T.I., and Pharrell ran into legal troubles with the singer’s estate. Over similarities to Gaye’s hit song “Got To Give It Up,” his estate was awarded millions in the lawsuit. It’s still one of the largest copyright lawsuits to date.

Ed Sheeran Is Hangin’ It Up

In Ed’s recent testimony, if found guilty of copyright, he will quit music. On Monday the “Shape of You” singer testified and vehemently denied all allegations and claims. When asked by his attorney Illene Farkas to explain the “toll” the lawsuit has taken on him he responded candidly. He said if found guilty, “I’m done, I’m stopping.” Additionally, Sheeran noted, “I find it really insulting to devote my whole life to being a performer and a songwriter and have someone diminish it.”

It would be terrible to see such a talent like Ed Sheeran stop making music if found guilty. However, just for clarity, it isn’t Marvin Gaye’s family that’s suing Ed Sheeran for plagiarizing his song. It’s his co-writer Ed Townsends estate that filed the case against the U.K. singer. Gaye’s family actually has nothing to do with the case personally. How do you feel about all of this? Do you think Ed Sheeran would really quit making music if found guilty? Let the HNHH staff know in the comments section below!

Ed Sheeran Performs In Court During Copyright Trial

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Ed Sheeran is currently at the center of a copyright trial. According to the suit filed against Sheeran, the British singer-songwriter stole the instrumental progression of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On”. The suit was filed by Gaye’s family, as well as “Let’s Get It On” composer Ed Townsend. “Let’s Get It On” was released in 1973, reached #1 in the charts, and is certified Platinum. “Thinking Out Loud”, the song at the center of the suit, peaked at #2 in the US but is twelve times Platinum-certified.

It’s not the first time Sheeran has been accused of stealing from other artists. In 2017, two songwriters were added to the credits of Sheeran’s “Photograph” after alleging it stole from their song “Amazing”. However, the size and scope of this latest trial have made it headline news.

Sheeran Performs “Thinking Out Loud” For Jury

While Sheeran was able to settle the “Photograph” suit out of court, the case filed by Gaye’s family has gone to trial. As part of the proceedings, Sheeran was invited to play the opening to “Thinking Out Loud” in court. This was in order to prove that while there are similarities, the two songs are very different. Sheeran also argued that “When I write vocal melodies, it’s like phonetics.” This was part of his argument that the songs are similar, but that “Thinking Out Loud” is its own original song. Additionally, he argued that he and co-writer Amy Wadge did not have “Let’s Get It On” in mind when creating “Thinking Out Loud”.

This lawsuit has been in the works since Sheeran released “Thinking Out Loud” in 2014. The songs are incredibly similar in regard to chord progression and tempo. However, musical copyright is decided by what is in the sheet music, not session records. Despite this, while performing live for the jury is a big bonus, there is evidence against Sheeran. Most notably, footage exists of Sheeran performing a mashup of the two songs due to their close similarity. Gaye cannot perform for the jury, but the aforementioned evidence is sure to make an appearance in the trial. Be sure to check back with HotNewHipHop for any updates as this trial unfolds.

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Ed Sheeran Set To Testify In Marvin Gaye “Thinking Out Loud” Trial

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Ed Sheeran will be taking the stand in court today amidst the copyright trial against Marvin Gaye’s estate, according to The Daily Mail. The UK singer is being sued for striking similarities in his 2014 hit record “Thinking Out Loud” that allegedly rips off Gaye’s bedroom classic “Let’s Get It On.” The heirs of Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer, are suing Sheeran with damning allegations. They allege “striking similarities” and “overt common elements” between the songs. Despite being filed in 2017, the lawsuit has finally made its way before a judge and jury.

The trial is set to last a week in the Manhattan federal courtroom of 95-year-old Judge Louis L. Stanton. Ed Sheeran won a Grammy for song of the year with “Thinking Out Loud” upon its release in 2014. However, “Let’s Get It On,” was one of Motown’s best-known singles. It landed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Pop Singles in 1973. Furthermore, the jury is expected to consider the raw elements of melody, harmony, and rhythm, that make up the composition of “Let’s Get It On.” Regardless, Ed Sheeran’s lawyers have said their rebuttals.

Ed Sheeran performs on stage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

They said the songs’ undeniable structural symmetry points solely to the foundation of popular music. “The two songs share versions of a similar and unprotectable chord progression that was freely available to all songwriters,” they said in court records. While this case may be polarizing, Gaye’s estate is not involved. However, it does bring back remnants of their successful infamous lawsuit against Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and T.I. Gaye’s estate was awarded millions over resemblances to the 2013 smash hit “Blurred Lines” to Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up.”

Not only that, it was dubbed as one of the most significant copyright cases to date. Sheeran’s label Atlantic Records and Sony/ATV Music Publishing are also named as defendants in the lawsuit. Usually, plaintiffs start broad when naming defendants, however, a judge can eliminate any names if necessary. How do you feel about this lawsuit, did Ed Sheeran rip off Marvin Gaye? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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Quinta Brunson Seeks Dismissal Of “Abbott Elementary” Lawsuit

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Abbott Elementary has quickly become one of the most beloved shows on television. The ABC mockumentary sitcom about an inner-city elementary school in Philadelphia has ridden a recent wave of “wholesome TV”. The show just ended its second season and will likely be an award favorite again this year.

However, the show has been facing a legal battle since mid-2022. Writer and performer Christine Davis filed a copyright suit against creator Quinta Brunson and ABC. Davis claims that Abbott Elementary violates the copyright of her unproduced script This School Year. Davis is seeking damages and all profits generated by Abbott Elementary.

In a filing to have the case dismissed, Brunson argued that the two shows are actually very different. “Starting with reading the very first page of Plaintiff’s treatment, it is evident that the concept and feel of the works are wholly dissimilar. While This School Year begins with a second-grade teacher Ms. Davis, slamming a book against her face at the idea that a new school year is starting, Abbott Elementary begins with a bubbly, positive, and optimistic second grade teacher, Janine Teagues, gushing about how excited she is to be starting another year with her students.” This claim argues that the tone and plots of the show differ based on the main character and how they view the world.

So where will the case go from here? While a judge has yet to rule on the case, Abbott Elementary will likely win out. Davis’ case primarily relies on both shows being about an inner-city elementary school. Her suit does claim that the shows share the “look and feel of the inner-city school, the mockumentary style, unique plot synopsis, set design, and unique characters.” However, according to the US Copyright Office, “The general idea or concept for a program is not copyrightable. Copyright will protect the literary or dramatic expression of an author’s idea but not the idea itself; and Registration for a particular script applies only to the copyrightable material in that script. “Blanket” registration for future scripts or for a series as a whole is not available.” Despite this, we will have to wait for an official ruling.

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