Ed Sheeran nominated for Ivor Novello Awards’ Songwriter of the Year after court battle

Ed Sheeran won a copyright court battle against musician Sami Chokri. He spoke about how the claims weighed on him

It’s been a good week for Ed Sheeran, or more specifically for his songwriting.

After winning a dispute in a copyright court, the singer was nominated for Songwriter of the Year at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards.

But Ed says the experience of defending his track “Shape of You” against “unsubstantiated” claims was ripped off
Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue’s 2015 song Oh Why took its toll on him
professionally and mentally.

A High Court judge ruled that 31-year-old Ed and co-writers Johnny McDaid and Steven McCutcheon “neither intentionally nor unknowingly” copied a phrase from the track.

In a statement, the trio said the case had cost them more than just financially. “Creativity comes at a price,” they said. “When we’re involved in litigation, we don’t make music or play shows.

“Our mental health comes at a price. The stress that this causes on all sides is immense.

“It affects so many aspects of our everyday lives and the lives of our families and friends. We are not corporations. We are not beings. We are human beings. We are songwriters.”

They added, “It’s so painful to hear someone publicly and aggressively question your integrity.” The statement also noted that such cases affect “the broader constituency of songwriters everywhere.”

The musicians hoped the ruling would set a precedent for other artists “to express themselves fearlessly.”

They added that there should be due process for “legitimate and justifiable copyright protection,” but added: “It’s not the same as having a culture in which
unjustified claims are easily asserted.

“This is neither constructive nor conducive to a culture of creativity.”

In an additional video shared on social media, Ed – who is nominated for three Ivor Novello Awards – criticized the “harmful” culture in which settlements are preferred to lengthy trials.

“There are only a limited number of notes and very few chords used in popular music. Coincidences are pre-programmed.”

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Idris Elba

Don’t worry, Idris Elba didn’t let go…

During an appearance on US television, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel did his best to make Idris “unsexy” by giving him a dodgy wig, a pair of false teeth, a beer belly and questionable clothes.

“You can try,” joked Idris – who reverted to his default sexy self at the LA premiere of
his latest film, Sonic the Hedgehog 2
wife Sabrina and daughter Isan. “You will never bring me down. I will always be sexy.”

Phew, in which case he might still be in the running for the next Bond.

Laurence Lewellyn-Bowen

A group of celebs embarked on a pilgrimage to learn more about the Irish monk St. Columba, and of course the journey came with its challenges.

Namely for Laurence Lewellyn-Bowen, who is filmed in his sleeping bag. “We came up with these very sneaky ways to put our teeth in without being noticed,” says the interior designer.

“And do our mascara before they knew it.”

See Laurence in all his glory tomorrow on BBC Two in Pilgrimage: The Road to the Scottish Isles.

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