Ed Sheeran-Marvin Gaye copyright trial to begin in New York

British singer, 32, accused of violating copyright from 1973 soul classic Let’s Get It On in 2014 hit Thinking Out Loud

Jury selection and opening statements are set to begin today in a trial that mashes up Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud with Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On.

The heirs of Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer of the 1973 soul classic, sued Sheeran, alleging the English pop star’s hit 2014 tune has “striking similarities” to Let’s Get It On and “overt common elements” that violate their copyright.