Ed Sheeran is “sad” enough to miss his 98-year-old grandmother’s funeral due to the ongoing copyright lawsuit in New York.
John Sheeran, father of the “Shape of You” singer, addressed the absence of his son at Anne “Nancy” Sheeran’s memorial service in Ireland on Wednesday.
“I am so sorry that our son Edward cannot be here today. He is too upset to be there – he has to be thousands of miles away to defend his integrity in a courtroom in America,” she said emotionally during her eulogy, according to the Daily Mail.
“I know you’re relieved to be able to spend precious time alone with her grandmother just a month ago.”
The outlet reported that Ed was able to catch the service online.
The 32-year-old “Perfect” singer is currently fighting a copyright infringement lawsuit in a Manhattan court for allegedly tearing parts of “Let’s Get It On” for Marvin Gaye’s 2014 track “Thinking Out Loud”.
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Ed Townsend’s family, who co-wrote “Let’s Get It On”, alleges in a 2016 lawsuit that the British singer-songwriter and others involved in the diamond-certified hit track copied the “heart” of “Let’s.” ‘ and ‘Thinking’ repeated over and over.”
Townsend’s daughter, Kathryn Townsend Griffin, said on April 25 that she was seeking “justice” for her father, who died in 2003.
“I am here for justice that protects my father’s intellectual property,” he said before entering the courthouse. “All I expect is that his name, work, and legacy be honored, and that all artists’ intellectual property be protected by the person who oversees our royalties.”
Ed refused to copy the 1973 soul classic, claiming that the songs might sound similar because it uses basic musical “building blocks” that are not covered by any copyright protection.
In fact, the four-time Grammy winner said he’d be “finished” with music if found responsible in this case.
The jury must decide whether Ed was at fault for copyright infringement. If they decide against it, a second hearing will be held to determine monetary damages owed to the Townsend family.
The copyright infringement lawsuit is pending.