EXCLUSIVE: Hear from the people who accused Ed Sheeran of copyright infringement

Kathy Griffin-Grinan's father Ed Townsend wrote 'Let's Get It On' by Marvin Gaye. She says Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' is a knock-off of the song. However, the judges didn't agree. In this exclusive sit down on The Isiah Factor: Uncensored, Grinan gives the public her first reaction to losing the lawsuit.
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[@jm4020]

Almost instantly straight to play the race card. Wow.

[@ANDY1985UK2011]

Looking at the comments from other videos about this case it's always black people disagreeing with the verdict.

[@loriannrichardson7644]

@@ANDY1985UK2011 Because we know music. White folk don't. You've copied and stolen all Black music -- what else is new.

[@Princess-pw1qt]

Right!

[@jesswhite9597]

Black people have a victim mentality it’s just facts anything that happens to them it’s 100 percent because of the fact they are black it’s boring now

[@marquesdevalera7403]

Agreed. Not even 1:16 into the interview and she played the race card implying a black litigant can not get a fair trial with a white jury. She is the most disgusting human being on the planet.

[@tempusfugit9796]

You cannot copyright chord progressions. You lost...get over it.

[@brooklyn7226]

@tempusfugit9796 yep

[@dbproductions1605]

Exactly!

[@loriannrichardson7644]

Why does Sheeran keep having this problem. Seems he can't come up with anything original.

[@tempusfugit9796]

@loriannrichardson7644 because some of his songs use common chord progressions, so there may be similarities with other songs. Other songwriters think they may be able to sue for plaquerism and make millions. But so far, have been unsuccessful.

[@Psykotiks]

​@@loriannrichardson7644I see replies to your comments but your original comments are no longer there wonder why?? 😂 Your knowledge is abismall

[@mrepix8287]

“The all white jury” here we go with the baseless race-baiting 🙄

[@loriannrichardson7644]

Even Sheeran goes straight into Let's Get it On. White folks just aren't musically creative. All American music is Black music. What would you do without Black music???

[@mrepix8287]

@@loriannrichardson7644 He has played numerous mashups of his music with other songs. The truth is music is much more about discovery then creation, and thus the only thing a composer can truly “own” are very specific lyrics or music gestures, not general sounds.

[@hidayatmusroni]

​@@mrepix8287yeah being successful is mainly just luck and having good connection but it stil doesn't mean we can just discredit ed Sheeran talent and hardwork. These people that suing ed Sheeran just want easy money smh.

[@bless1984]

Those 2 songs were not similar. She needs to stop. "God is the judge." Totally true and Ed Sheeran has a God given talent. And on top of that, he missed his grandmother's funeral for this mess. Smh

[@timthompson7205]

A figment of your imagination is the judge? Do you even know why you believe in god? It’s pure selfishness. You can’t admit that you will cease to exist. You think that you are better than the rest and deserve to live forever.

[@pattih7935]

Ed Townsend and Marvin Gaye, whom I am a fan of, would probably not have approved of this action. Townsend’s own daughter tarnished their good names.

[@marquesdevalera7403]

It is important to note that the heirs of Marven Gay did not join the lawsuit.

[@Breanna3206]

The all white jury…. Omg your unreal 😂

[@loriannrichardson7644]

Because white folk don't have an ear for music -- they've created nothing new.

[@tempusfugit9796]

I thought that. Playing the race card because you didn't get your own way......disgraceful!!😡

[@CommViewer]

Thank god for juries. Ed was far too kind to her. This is an atrocious attempted money grab. Yes, there are some similarities when you break it it down to its constituent parts but that is true of many songs and music…anyone who loves and listens to music without a money grabbing ear can hear that Ed was not stealing or copying anything. There are literally hundreds of songs with the same chord progression and beats per minute. This lady reminds me of a litigious hammer with zero personal creativity , looking for a nail. I’m glad the nail bent this false hammer. As for playing the race card - well I guess God was listening and must have worked his magic by whispering to the jury…

[@benjaminmonro4376]

Well said. And who is this presenter "I don't think that is a fair comparison" after they play the 2 songs as they are. Then she plays the race card. Then says they cheated. Then says we'll get a better payout after the court case. Presenter then blames race too. And then she tops it off with "I played Mozart to them and that slapped him around a bit" ....🤭😂 Suchhhh a petty case and even pettier interview.

[@botsareeverywhere]

Race card, greed and god…..what a combination

[@CommViewer]

Wow, so much said in so few words !!

[@bless1984]

Ed Sheeran is one of the best, most original artists ever. He's the definition of "started from the bottom." He was discovered by Jamie Foxx. Get out of here.

[@Keno_1001]

Marvin Gaye and her dad would’ve sided with Ed Sheeran.

[@loriannrichardson7644]

Nope -- Sheeran doesn't even understand music. Marvin Gaye's music is on another level.

[@nblk5403]

@@loriannrichardson7644 to each their opinion and I definitely respect yours but I strongly disagree.

[@levi2732]

​@@loriannrichardson7644noooo life haaaater

[@foskco87]

Yeah I feel that if anything they would have felt embarrassed and felt their legacy was tarnished by this whole joke of a money grab. Not to mention all the countless musicians who wrote songs similar to Lets get it on well before Marvin Gaye. By that same standard Marvin Gaye ripped off other musicians.

[@luay5503]

YOU CANT COPYRIGHT A CHORD PROGRESSIONS AND A RYTHEM SIMPLE

[@octopols]

Such a greedy person

[@ThunderRoad1]

This is such a disappointing interview. I was hoping they would be gracious in understanding and accepting that there was no copying but instead, I ended up glad they lost. They said nothing to back up their claim which resulted in spiritual nonsense and unsubstantial claims. They lost because the two songs are very different and that chord progression is used in millions of songs before and after.

[@system2213]

What an awful person. Like many manipulative people, she believes she can use religion to fool others into believing she is of high moral standing, as if she did all this for moral reasons, instead of a blatant shallow money-grab - then she awkwardly forces the host to high-five her when she says "we still get a cheque!". Her motivation for this case is very clear for anyone who is paying attention and I'm glad the verdict went in Ed's favor.

[@masteryi197]

I'm so glad Ed Sheeran won, justice prevailed. "We didn't lose" You definetaly lost, not only your reputation but the whole case. Also, accusing others of cheating when that's obviously not the case is embarrasing, and perhaps even defamatory.

[@jumpforjoy6]

Lmaoooo "ed has a great future ahead of him" as if he's not a grammy winning artist with a sold out stadium tour... lordtt people are deluded

[@613Scottie]

What a joke. These chords are in songs going back hundreds of years. Nobody owns them.

[@josepharmani5827]

"they referred to my dead father!" "Im not an angry black woman, it's business" This lady is crazy, greedy and just absurd.

[@marthelus]

Sounds like someone is in denial. So now people cant make song lyrics because there is no original most songs sound alike. this is a war on artistic talent and up coming talented musician's

[@DiazMichelle5]

🙄 whatever. Ed Sheeran didn't steal a damn thing. This woman isn't smart enough to understand the idea of chords and just wanted easy money from a successful artist. Don't try to say the jury was biased either. As a latina, this isn't about race. This is you being a gold digger. He will continue to sell out stadiums and be successful. You? Complain in shows like this one. The end.

[@jumpforjoy6]

I dont understand why Ed took photos with her he really is too nice for his own good.

[@loriannrichardson7644]

Nah, it's because he feels guilty.

[@jumpforjoy6]

@@loriannrichardson7644 nope. Proven by a court of law to be innocent. Suck it.

[@levi2732]

​@@loriannrichardson7644dude guess what ed is one of the most talented singers/songwriters that ever existed and in ur country lately breal record with 90 000 fans in his concert, so buuuuurn with ur jealouy noo life faty 😂😂😂 buurn

[@marissa._]

I'm sorry but those songs sounded nothing alike. I've heard people do what's called a "mash-up", where people take 2 or more songs and combine them. And that's exactly what it sounded like. Maybe that's why he sang the song live.

[@loriannrichardson7644]

Really, even Sheeran progresses right into "Let's Get It On" after he sings His song. Sheeran keeps having this problem with artists -- he's not creative and not creative.

[@NathanielDowell]

@@loriannrichardson7644 if you've been following the news, frivolous lawsuits against artists for using common chord progressions/elements in their songs is a huge deal right now. Sheeran is just a big target who makes headlines, plus he's chosen to fight it because he's got the resources. A lot of smaller artist end up settling, which is exactly why the lawsuits are so common today. Companies will actually buy song catalogs just to file these sorts of claims in hopes of making money off settlements, even though their claims have zero merit. They're banking off musical illiteracy in the justice system.

[@sheerio8737]

ED SHEERAN WINS!!! HE IS THE BEST!!! LOVE HIM SO MUCH ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Jbucks24]

They were just looking for free lunch.

[@dbmusicc]

Boy stop.. every element in let’s get it on .. the chords, drum pattern, rhythmic patterns.. Ed Townsend not invent those.. so where did he get them from? Lol.. all those elements have been around for hundreds of years.. this is really CRAZY! The fundamentals of the song were not creative but the top line melody and Marvin Gaye were! AND they sound nothing like Ed Sheeren song.

[@anonperson4597]

Omg. “The all white jury” I’m so sick of hearing crap like that. Sick of it. It’s a chord! My god u cannot own a chord progression. He proved it. Just because it sounds similar doesn’t mean he copied it. Many songs used that same chord progression but with other music so that u don’t immediately recognize it. Did their money run out? The man who sang it made it a song. She isn’t related to the man who sang it and brought it to life.

[@alfie834]

Serves them right. This is a case of greed

[@peterkelly2766]

I think she's just a vulnerable person who was talked into this by those who stood to gain whether she won or lost. Talking about God being the only Juror shows she is bonkers.

[@AGETheGawdYT]

A pure money grab. Identical tempo, song melody COMPLETELY different, different song structure, similar drum beat, similar chord progression.

[@CommViewer]

You get it…nice !!

[@lydiajosephphillip3904]

I am black, and I don't see this as a white against black issue, the songs were different, there's nothing new under the sun, leave the man be, stop trying to get a big cheque of the man legacy, but I suppose this is the point, sue people occasionally to increase traction of the song so the money will keep rolling in.

[@didisayu]

So she’s suggesting to stunt creative expression, when you write a song go on the hunt and make sure you don’t use the same chord combo; rediculous

[@adamg8194]

Let’s be honest. Only thing she cares about is getting free money for doing nothing.

[@jumpforjoy6]

Lol this woman is deluded. I dobt hear any similarity at all

[@ANDY1985UK2011]

the chorus is what sells a song and they are nothing alike

[@trailzen7027]

Ridiculous this even went to court. Many songs have similarities. They are clearly two different songs. SMH

[@loriannrichardson7644]

The words are different -- not the music. When I first heard Sheeran's song, I kept wondering why it sounded so familiar -- then I saw him segue right into "Let's Get It On" in a video, and I knew. Sheeran knows it too -- that's why he was trying to convince her that he fidn't steal the music. Sheeran keeps having this problem because there's nothing original about him.

[@levi2732]

​@@loriannrichardson7644no liiife hattter keeep crying 😂😂😂zz

[@hidayatmusroni]

​@@loriannrichardson7644i mean that just him giving credit to marvin gaye since alot of people especially younger generations don't know him but by doing mashup people will now know about him.

[@mr.j9125]

As a person who's black I hate people who do that. Pulling the race card. The song isn't even close.

[@egb6322]

This woman is delusional they make us look bad especially when they claim victim! You DO NOT own music! 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@caseysmith2416]

She is absolutely the definition of someone who plays the victim. Get a job.

[@Latexsnake77]

You don’t see drake in the court room

[@stiggy1991]

Newsflash to her, her dad did not invite the chord sequence. What about all the similar songs that came before her dad's?

[@foskco87]

Something tells me they aren't ready to pay up for all the songs that came before Let's get it on.

[@greeniebeenie3164]

I say we should just stop listening to let’s get it on if the money goes to these people🙄

[@kaisteines3776]

How can the daughter of Ed Townsend be so disconnected from the soul of music.

[@marquesdevalera7403]

Ed found that their are over 100 songs with either the same four cords or nearly the same cords proving that the four cords are a standard musical element used by many artists to compose music. Ed has been very gracious to these greedy losers when do not deserve it. Copyright laws need to change so greedy people who simply want a quick payday can go to hell especially with heirs who did nothing but be born and expect to make money from their dead relative forever

[@kendrasnowden9107]

The melody isn’t the same at all, so I don’t know why they keep saying that. It makes them look more ignorant. Literally hundreds of songs center around the same chord progressions. Not even just this particular chord progression. It would be impossible not to because there are only so many chords and so many combinations.

[@m.j.4100]

Hhmm although the backing chords are very similar but the words were too different, and the melody. Nobody should own chords just like nobody owns colour blue. She is money grabbing opportunist because she cant create her own 😂

[@davidjunto1008]

She's not even black herself. Maybe thats why she feels the need to earn her blackness through litigation.

[@CarPhonix]

Her playing the race card is absolutely disgusting.

[@iamroma]

Bullshit copyright laws, bullshit lawsuits. Copyright should be 20 years from the time content is published. No different than patents. End of story.

[@andtobeyond-gw3fh]

Shady women

[@timthompson7205]

Anyone who knows Ed Sheehan has never heard of Marvin Gaye.

[@jermainemitchell1343]

People like these two make me SICK! They just had a person axe to grind; all of this was done out of greed and jealously… Those two should be in jail!

[@Kustomkaraoke-ht4xl]

Her glee at more royalties from lets get it on just highlights her greed, the verdict was just thank god.

[@jprobe]

Those sound nothing alike. Justice was served.

[@brooklyn7226]

You cannot compare a D/F#(a one in first inversion chord) to an F#m(a three minor chord)

[@migueluspa]

The race card: helping blacks mock the judicial system for decades!

[@dyoung3648]

Why didn't your attorneys object more often during the hearing? And how did they ever allow on all white jury?

[@sweatdog]

There have been so many great songs. They get stuck in our hearts and minds. It will largely and inevitably shape artistic creativity. If emerging artists have to approach song writing like they are navigating an ever-expanding mine field wrapped in the nuance and ambiguity of American law then why would anyone choose to pursue it? How can pure artistic creation take shape in such a suppressing environment?

[@Stefanmannberg]

Thank god Ed won this... crazy woman,played the race card in 10 sec..

[@johncompson8394]

Hope they have a hefty lawyers bill

[@lesm2373]

Ed is such a real true kind honest person.

[@ozzybloke3488]

All I'm hearing is "show me the money".

[@keremels]

It's because Ed is the nicest person ever.

[@localstreetsbatman]

Lady you don’t own chords lmao 😂 then someone else’s music from years before should copyright the starting tune of every damn music then

[@chanratanaheang9607]

Seriously… this women is unbelievable

[@andrewinat434]

They just want free money from Ed.

[@gohanson8846]

Money, Greed, Jealousy, using the all white jury 😂 stop it! She needs to keep God out her mouth

[@riverstone9005]

She made this about race! I'm wondering if she still would have sued him if he was black.

[@eddiedoezit6751]

You can't copywrite a chord progression... there are probably thousands of songs with the same progression... they were just money hungry and it has zero to do with blks vs wyts...

[@barron4755]

She's grabbing at Straws.

[@olbeenoric_xing]

Thank God they lost. Dirty race card players. Congrats to Ed.

[@ONLYJDkettlebels]

Ed Sheeran doesn’t read music ! Did she just say that!

[@pimpbeardog]

Every famous song uses G and C. They don't sound alike.

[@user-qc6wi3dw5x]

The songs are clearly dofferent! Completely dofferent lyrics, the melodies Ed Sheeran songs in is completely different…the only thing even similar is the tempo and chords but even the chords ARE different if you listen…similar but different

[@ComicBrooks]

Nope....... Nothing a like..... maybe similar chords but nothing copied.

[@jaymichaelruss6872]

Wtf... this man telling her the songs sound way to similar is a joke. This woman just wanted money...

[@adwoamk8918]

I hear the similarities, everytime I hear that song I thought that it sounded familiar but I couldn't put my finger on what it was. To be honest a lot of new songs take from the old. He did this with Kandi too and ended up coughing up. Ed Sheeran needs to cut it out and make genuine original music.

[@minutemaid123]

I don’t think it sounds similar

[@dyoung3648]

Not true kathy you had family in the hearing that you wouldn't even allow them to sit with you...and they are the greatest portion of the Townsend estate... Your attorneys were very weak in comparison to the New York City group for Ed Sheeran...unprepared. One person there had more information about your family then you did... You excluded that person! She doesn't own all the royalties.

[@bob-the-one]

She just angry that she didnt get any money....

[@spyda1221]

1:02 should be a trending meme by now. 1:44 name 5 ppl who said “wow” 3:20 she should have checked because I found 40 songs that came out before hers with the exact same chords. 4:41 you can be both 4:55 he’s absolutely 100% right. It just gets pretty stupid after that.

[@user-ph7wj7eq5j]

No, they did not cheat. You lost. Race had nothing to do with this. Ed Sheeran gave a live performance and showed the jury how the chord progression in question has been used in other songs over the decades. You lost fair and square. Get over it and move on.

[@MikeFox-og8uc]

God is the judge! Both songs are great! When you grab for royalties you go against what you preach Credit it where the people go!! both are great so what is the problem!! Tiz all about money for you lot! Just listen to the songs and enjoy x

[@razorahai6680]

She racist. 😂

[@stevenxu2063]

Somehow the melody got left out in the argument

[@atothetop3779]

Ed has a chorus with completely different chords not in Let’s get it on also the Melodie’s and lyrics are different

[@TownGirl04]

Maybe yhey aure just to get royalty cheques 😮

[@Princess-pw1qt]

Lol she’s crazy

[@Da1Dez]

this whole thing was just stupid, literally most songs have similar beats!

[@Kaimusic0]

"god works in mysterious ways,, now we gon get some more royalty checks"

[@sublimebeauty1]

4.43 really 🤔

[@ericfrench2174]

This woman does not respect God’s verdict.

[@martinemulholland5012]

Race card straight away

[@AceBambam]

1:02 says it all

[@user-qc6wi3dw5x]

I know Lets Get It On is a classic and its hard to top a classic but imo Ed Sheeran vocal talent is unreal and his song is better…just sayin

[@buzzlightyearandco]

Money hungry

[@johncuthbert1844]

Cash grab sadly.

[@kennethwoods6525]

I recall something similar with Vanilla Ice. "Ice Ice Baby,” lifted the bass line from Queen and David Bowie’s 1981 song “Under Pressure.”

[@tempusfugit9796]

That was actually a sample, which lots of rap artists use. They have to pay the original artists for using them. Or at least get permission.

[@kennethwoods6525]

@@tempusfugit9796 : Vanilla Ice resolved the issue by purchasing the rights to the song. Lawsuit gone!

[@izzymeadows1748]

😂😂😂 she’s crazy…. Then trying to make it a race thing. The jury was white?!? 😂. The jury what eve the colour was right. Jesus what a gold digger.

[@autumnfrost7120]

Looks like somebody is looking for $$$$$

[@juergenbeyer3516]

This show was a race thing with the 3 People together.Why? It's not fair!!! And Kathy Griffin-Grinan hope of 100 Millionen Dollar to have a good life! Ed and Amy work hard on that song and damned is not a copyright! Kathy Griffin-Grinan go on and work hard as many poeple does! Ed is not a piggy-bank for Kathy Griffin-Grinan and thats right! No matter of black or white musican, because all musicans are a great/wonderful family and she destroy them all! She's very sick! Ed and his team found many songs (50's and 60's) they had the same similar music before "Let's get it on" came out and over 8 years she fight for money - thats a shame for Kathy Griffin-Grinan - she always wants his money - for sure!!!!! 👎👎 Greetings from Germany