Ed Sheeran has spoken out after winning his landmark copyright trial - after vowing to quit music for good if he lost.
Speaking outside New York's Manhattan Federal Court on Thursday, the 32-year-old chart-topper addressed the music community after a jury cleared him and fellow songwriter Amy Wadge of any wrongdoing after they were accused of ripping off part of the famed Marvin Gaye track, 'Let's Get It On'.
The lawsuit was filed back in 2017 by the family of songwriter Ed Townsend, who helped write Gaye's beloved soul anthem.
But, after winning his case today, Sheeran said that he will never allow himself to "become a piggy bank for anyone to shake."
He told reporters waiting outside the courtroom: "I'm obviously very happy with the outcome of the case, and it looks like I'm not having to retire from my day job after all, but - at the same time - I'm unbelievably frustrated that baseless claims like this are allowed to go to court at all.
"We've spent the last eight years talking about two songs with dramatically drifferent lyrics, melodies, and four chords which are also different and used by songwriters every day all over the world. These chords are common building blocks that 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.
"They are in a songwriter's alphabet, our toolkit, and should be there for all of us to use. No one owns them or the way they are played. In the same way that nobody owns the color blue.
"Unfortunately, unfounded claims like this are being fueled by individuals who are being offered as music experts in musical analysis. In this instance, the other side's musicologist left out words and notes, presented simple and different pitches as melody, and - by doing so - created, what I think we proved for all to see, were misleading comparisons and disinformation to find supposed similarities where none exist.
"And, I think we proved for all to see, that they tried to manipulate my and Amy's song to try and convince the jury that they had a genuine claim.
"I'm very grateful that the jury saw through those attempts. This seems so dangerous to me. Both [for] potential claimants who may be convinced to bring a bogus claim, as well as those songwriters facing them. It's simply wrong.
"By stopping this practice, we can also properly support genuine music copyright claims so that legitimate claims are rightly heard and resolved.
"If the jury had decided this matter the other way, we might as well say goodbye to the creative freedom of songwriters. We need to be able to write our original music and engage with independent creation without worrying at every step of the way that such creativity will be wrongly called into question.
"Like artists everywhere, Amy and I work hard to independently create songs, which are often based around real-life personal experience. It is devastating to be accused of stealing someone else's song when we put so much work into our livelihoods.
"I'm just a guy with a guitar, who loves writing music for people to enjoy. I am not and never will allow myself to be a piggy bank for anyone to shake.
"Having to be in New York for this trial has meant that I have missed being with my family at my grandmother's funeral in Ireland. These trials take a significant trial on everyone involved, including Catherine.
"I want to thank the jury for making the decision that will help protect the creative process of songwriters here in the United States and all around the world.
"I also want to thank my team, these guys, who have supported me throughout this difficult process. And to all the songwriters, musicians, and fans who have reached out with messages of support over the last few weeks.
"And finally, I would like to thank Amy. Neither of us ever expected that - nine years ago, from our wonderful writing session - that we would be here having to defend our integrity. Amy, I feel so lucky to have you in my life, thank you.
"We need songwriters and the wider community to come together and bring back common sense. These claims need to be stopped so that the creative process can carry on and we can all get back to making music. And, at the same time, we absolutely need trusted individuals, real experts, who help support the process of protecting copyright."
When asked how he was feeling after giving his statement, Sheeran simply said: "Great."
