Ed Sheeran denies ‘borrowing’ ideas from other artists as he addresses court in ‘Shape of You’ lawsuit

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Ed Sheeran has refuted allegations that he “alters” and “borrows” musical ideas from other artists as he appeared in court in his ongoing “Shape of You” legal case.

The singer-songwriter has been accused by songwriters Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue of stealing parts of their 2015 song for his 2017 hit single.

The trial began on Friday (4 March), during which Chokri and O’Donoghue’s lawyer Andrew Sutcliffe said that Sheeran was a “magpie” who “borrows ideas” without credit.

On Monday (7 March), Sheeran spoke in court and was asked if he accepted that he behaved in this manner towards other artists.

Sheeran denied the claim, saying that “if Mr Sutcliffe would have done his research”, he would have known that there were “lots” of unknown artists he had cleared parts of songs with.

He also denied that he had known of Chokri earlier in his career, when he performed under the name Sami Switch.

“This is all stuff you’re saying, this isn’t stuff that’s true,” he told Sutcliffe. In a written witness statement, he denied that he had met Chokri at a party in a Nando’s in central London.

Elsewhere, Sheeran wrote that he “always tried to be completely fair in crediting anyone who makes any contribution to any song I write”, adding that he had been “as scrupulous as I possibly can and have even given credits to people who I believe may have been no more than a mere influence for a songwriting element”.

Chokri and O’Donoghue allege “Shape Of You” has taken “particular lines and phrases” from their 2015 track “Oh Why”.

Sheeran will appear in court again on Tuesday (8 March), with the legal battle expected to last three weeks.