Accused of plagiarism, Ed Sheeran says today “deeply traumatized” by the case

Ed Sheeran is “traumatized”. Not by the war in Ukraine or by climate change, but by… his trial for plagiarism. The trial between the British artist and Sami Chokri, aka Sami Switch, ends today, with judgment to be delivered at a later date. According to the star’s lawyer and his co-authors, the situation plunged them into deep disarray.

“It is deeply traumatic for them (…) This case should never have gone to trial. My clients have the right to be cleared by the courts,” said Ian Mill, according to the NME.

Intersecting circles

Ed Sheeran, Steven McCutcheon, his producer, and Johnny McDaid, his co-author, assure that they have never heard the music of the one who dragged them before the court. Sami Chokri says they have so many friends in common and “crossing circles” that it’s impossible Ed Sheeran has never heard oh whyhis 2015 title, of which he claims that the interpreter of Shape of You stole the melody for his 2017 hit.

The case is made even more complex by the confession of Ed Sheeran, who declared on the stand that he often “borrows” ideas from other artists, but credits them each time. Here, he did not do so, and this is precisely what the plaintiff accuses him of.

According to El País, Shape of You grossed 24 million euros (estimate). The royalties were frozen during the trial.