Ed Sheeran Awarded Over $1.1 Million in Legal Fees in ‘Shape of You’ Copyright Case

Pop star prevailed in the high-profile plagiarism case back in April

by EMILY ZEMLER | 22 June 2022 | Rolling Stone

The two artists who sued Ed Sheeran for copyright infringement over “Shape of You” have been ordered to pay the pop star over $1.1 million in legal fees, Billboard reports. 

After Sheeran prevailed in the copyright suit, lawyers for the grime artist Sami Chokri and his co-writer Ross O’Donoghue tried to argue that their clients shouldn’t have to cover the legal expenses of Sheeran and his co-defendants — songwriters Steven McCutcheon and Johnny McDaid — due to their “conduct… both before and during the proceedings.” Judge Antony Zacaroli, however, rebuffed those claims and said Sheeran and co. were entitled to an “interim payment” of £916,200 (just over $1.1 million).

Despite today ruling, that total sum for legal expenses could still change. Another judge will oversee and assess the costs and damages due, and could decide to nix some, thus lowering how much Chokri and O’Donoghue owe.

Sheeran won his High Court copyright battle in England over his 2017 single “Shape of You” back in April after a high-profile trial. A judge ruled that Sheeran, McDaid and McCutcheon did not plagiarize Chokri’s 2015 song “Oh Why.”

Despite today ruling, that total sum for legal expenses could still change. Another judge will oversee and assess the costs and damages due, and could decide to nix some, thus lowering how much Chokri and O’Donoghue owe.

Sheeran won his High Court copyright battle in England over his 2017 single “Shape of You” back in April after a high-profile trial. A judge ruled that Sheeran, McDaid and McCutcheon did not plagiarize Chokri’s 2015 song “Oh Why.”

Chokri, a grime artist who performs under the name Sami Switch, and his co-writer Ross O’Donoghue sued Sheeran, McDaid and Mac for copyright infringement over alleged similarities between the two songs. In 2018, “The Shape of You” writers launched legal proceedings asking the High Court to declare they had not infringed on the copyright. Chokri and O’Donoghue issued a counterclaim two months later.

During the 11-day trial in London in March, Sheeran denied he “borrows” ideas from other songwriters without acknowledgment. He told the court he “always tried to be completely fair” in crediting his contributors,” adding that he was using the opportunity of the trial to clear his name. In their testimony, Sheeran, McDaid and Mac all denied being aware of “Oh Why” prior to writing “Shape Of You.”

Sheeran recently performed as part of Concert for Ukraine, held in Birmingham, England. His latest album, =, was released last October.

This story was updated 6/22/22 at 2:57 p.m. ET with a new ruling regarding legal fees owed by Sami Chokri.

Read more at rollingstone.com.

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