Ed Sheeran is once again at the center of a major celebrity news story, but the latest controversy needs some clarification. A headline describing the singer as “cowardly” by a copyright plaintiff appears to combine two separate strands of criticism surrounding the British pop star.
Sheeran has faced several copyright disputes during his career. The most prominent involved his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud” and Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend’s 1973 classic “Let’s Get It On.” Another major case in the United Kingdom concerned “Shape of You” and the song “Oh Why.” Sheeran ultimately prevailed in both major disputes.
At the same time, Sheeran is facing renewed public criticism in September 2026 following the removal of rapper Macklemore from his U.S. Loop Tour. Some commentators have used harsh language to describe Sheeran’s response to the controversy, including a Salon opinion piece that described him as “cowardly.” However, that criticism was connected to the tour dispute and Gaza-related political debate, not a current copyright lawsuit.
The distinction matters because the two stories involve very different issues.
Ed Sheeran Copyright Lawsuit History Explained
Ed Sheeran’s history with copyright litigation is extensive enough to remain a recurring topic in celebrity news.
The best-known American case involved “Thinking Out Loud,” Sheeran’s Grammy-winning song released in 2014. The plaintiffs argued that the composition copied protectable elements of “Let’s Get It On,” written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend.
Townsend’s heirs brought the lawsuit, while another related case involved Structured Asset Sales, which claimed an interest in the copyright. The dispute focused heavily on similarities in musical structure, including chord progression and rhythm.
Sheeran strongly disputed the allegations.
During the 2023 trial, he explained his songwriting process and demonstrated musical elements in court. The unusual courtroom testimony included Sheeran playing guitar and singing while explaining how he created “Thinking Out Loud.”
The case attracted worldwide attention because of the possible implications for songwriting and copyright law.
Jury Ruled in Ed Sheeran’s Favor
The copyright trial eventually ended with a verdict in Sheeran’s favor.
In May 2023, a New York federal jury found that Sheeran had not infringed the copyright at issue in the case involving “Thinking Out Loud” and “Let’s Get It On.” The Guardian reported that the lawsuit had originally been filed in 2017 by descendants of Ed Townsend.
The verdict was significant because the case had raised questions about how far copyright protection should extend over common musical building blocks.
Sheeran had argued that the similarities identified by the plaintiffs involved basic musical components available to songwriters generally. His legal team maintained that the relevant chord progression was not something one songwriter could exclusively control.
Following the verdict, Sheeran expressed relief but also frustration about what he described as unsupported copyright claims.
The Shape of You Copyright Case
The “Thinking Out Loud” lawsuit was not Sheeran’s only major copyright battle.
In the United Kingdom, Sheeran and his co-writers Johnny McDaid and Steven McCutcheon faced claims concerning his massive 2017 hit “Shape of You.”
Songwriters Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue alleged that “Shape of You” copied part of their song “Oh Why.”
The case reached the High Court in London in 2022. Sheeran denied deliberately or subconsciously copying the earlier work.
The court ultimately ruled in Sheeran’s favor.
Mr Justice Zacaroli concluded that Sheeran had neither deliberately nor subconsciously copied the relevant phrase from “Oh Why,” according to reporting from The Independent.
The decision provided another major legal victory for the singer and his songwriting collaborators.
Why the Word “Cowardly” Is Trending Around Ed Sheeran
The “cowardly” description currently circulating around Sheeran comes from a different controversy.
In September 2026, Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour became embroiled in a dispute after Macklemore was removed from the lineup. Macklemore had made pro-Palestinian comments during a performance, including remarks supporting Palestine.
Sheeran subsequently said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter rather than by him personally.
Reuters reported that Sheeran said he had attempted to mediate between the relevant parties and that the decision ultimately came from the promoter and venues.
Several artists associated with the tour subsequently withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore.
Those departures intensified scrutiny of Sheeran’s position.
Why Sheeran Is Facing Criticism
Sheeran has presented his concerts as spaces intended to bring people together rather than as political platforms.
However, some commentators have questioned whether remaining publicly neutral is possible when a politically controversial performer is part of a major tour.
A September 16, 2026 Salon opinion article used the word “coward” in discussing Sheeran’s position on Gaza and his response to the Macklemore dispute. That was an opinion piece, not a court finding or a statement from a copyright plaintiff.
This distinction is important for anyone searching for the latest Ed Sheeran copyright lawsuit news.
There is no reliable evidence in the sources reviewed for this article that a current copyright plaintiff has formally branded Sheeran “cowardly.”
Instead, the language is part of a broader public debate surrounding his tour and political neutrality.
Macklemore’s Removal Changed the Story
The controversy expanded after Macklemore was dropped from Sheeran’s U.S. tour.
According to Reuters, Macklemore had made pro-Palestinian remarks during a September 4 performance. The decision to remove him subsequently triggered withdrawals by other performers associated with the tour.
Supporting acts including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and members of Sheeran’s touring band announced their departures.
The dispute also involved Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium. Reports said venue concerns played an important role in the decision concerning Macklemore’s participation.
The situation therefore became much larger than a dispute between two musicians.
It evolved into a debate involving freedom of expression, political neutrality, concert venues and the responsibilities of major entertainers.
Ed Sheeran Says He Tried to Build Bridges
Sheeran has attempted to explain his position publicly.
People reported that the singer said he had spent the week attempting to resolve the disagreement. He also emphasized that Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter rather than directly with him.
That explanation has not ended the criticism.
Some commentators have argued that a star of Sheeran’s size cannot completely separate himself from decisions made on a tour carrying his name.
Others have focused on the distinction between an artist’s own views and decisions made by promoters or venue operators.
Those competing interpretations have contributed to the continuing celebrity news cycle surrounding Sheeran.
How the Copyright Controversies Differ
It is useful to separate the copyright cases from the current tour dispute.
Copyright litigation asks legal questions about ownership and infringement.
The “Thinking Out Loud” case centered on whether Sheeran’s song infringed protected elements of “Let’s Get It On.” A jury ultimately found in Sheeran’s favor.
The “Shape of You” case similarly examined whether Sheeran had copied part of “Oh Why.” The High Court ruled that he had not.
The 2026 tour controversy involves completely different questions.
It concerns Macklemore’s public comments, the decisions of promoters and venues, and Sheeran’s stated approach to political neutrality.
Therefore, describing the latest criticism as coming from a “copyright plaintiff” would blur two unrelated stories.
Why Copyright Remains a Major Issue for Songwriters
The Ed Sheeran copyright cases have broader significance beyond celebrity headlines.
Modern popular music often relies on recurring musical patterns. Chord progressions, rhythms and common songwriting structures can appear in many songs.
That creates a difficult legal question: when does similarity become infringement?
The “Thinking Out Loud” litigation attracted attention precisely because the plaintiffs argued that similarities between the two songs were legally meaningful, while Sheeran’s side argued that the relevant musical elements were common and not exclusively protectable.
The case demonstrated why copyright disputes involving successful songs can become extremely complicated.
A song can resemble another work without necessarily infringing copyright. Courts must examine what elements are protected and whether the allegedly copied material falls within that protection.
Sheeran’s Legal Battles Have Had a Major Public Impact
Copyright lawsuits can affect an artist well beyond the courtroom.
For a globally successful songwriter, allegations of copying can create headlines, affect public perception and place pressure on collaborators and publishers.
Sheeran himself has spoken about the impact of copyright disputes on his creative process.
During the “Shape of You” litigation, he discussed the stress associated with copyright accusations and criticized what he regarded as baseless claims.
The singer’s legal experiences have therefore become part of the broader discussion about how songwriters protect their work while allowing musicians to use common musical ideas.
What Happens Next for Ed Sheeran?
The immediate focus in September 2026 is not a new copyright trial but the continuing fallout from the Loop Tour controversy.
The dispute has already affected several artists and raised questions about how the remaining tour dates will proceed.
Reuters reported that Sheeran’s U.S. tour faced disruption after supporting performers left in solidarity with Macklemore.
At the same time, Sheeran’s previous major copyright cases remain important background because they explain why headlines involving him and intellectual-property disputes continue to attract attention.
There is currently a clear difference between the two stories.
One concerns completed copyright litigation.
The other concerns an active controversy surrounding touring and political expression.
Celebrity News: Why Accurate Context Matters
The phrase “Ed Sheeran ripped as cowardly by copyright plaintiff” makes for a striking headline, but the available reporting does not establish that a copyright plaintiff made that statement.
Instead, the “cowardly” criticism can be traced to commentary surrounding Sheeran’s handling of the Macklemore controversy.
Meanwhile, Sheeran’s major copyright battles over “Thinking Out Loud” and “Shape of You” ended with rulings in his favor.
That distinction is important because celebrity stories can quickly merge separate events into one narrative.
For readers following Ed Sheeran’s career, the current situation involves two separate timelines:
- His major copyright cases were largely resolved years ago.
- His latest controversy concerns the 2026 Loop Tour.
- Macklemore’s removal triggered withdrawals by several supporting artists.
- Sheeran has said the decision was made by the promoter and venues.
- Critics have questioned his response and his stated desire to remain politically neutral.
- The “cowardly” description appears in contemporary commentary about that controversy rather than in a verified copyright judgment.
As the tour controversy develops, additional statements from Sheeran, Macklemore, promoters and venues may provide more context.
For now, separating verified legal facts from opinion is essential when discussing the latest Ed Sheeran celebrity news.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ed Sheeran currently facing a copyright lawsuit?
The major copyright cases most closely associated with Ed Sheeran, including the “Thinking Out Loud” and “Shape of You” disputes, were resolved in his favor. The latest controversy surrounding him in September 2026 concerns his Loop Tour rather than a newly reported major copyright trial.
Did Ed Sheeran win the “Thinking Out Loud” copyright case?
Yes. A New York federal jury found in Sheeran’s favor in May 2023 in the case alleging that “Thinking Out Loud” infringed elements of “Let’s Get It On.”
What was the “Shape of You” copyright case about?
Songwriters Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue alleged that “Shape of You” copied part of their song “Oh Why.” The UK High Court ruled in Sheeran’s favor in 2022.
Who called Ed Sheeran “cowardly”?
A September 2026 Salon opinion article used “coward” while criticizing Sheeran’s response to the Macklemore and Gaza-related tour controversy. This was commentary about the tour dispute, not a verified statement from a copyright plaintiff.
Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour?
Macklemore was removed following controversy over his pro-Palestinian remarks during a performance. Reporting indicated that venue and promoter concerns contributed to the decision. Sheeran said the decision was not his.
Did Ed Sheeran personally decide to remove Macklemore?
Sheeran has said that the decision was made by the promoter and venues, rather than by him. He also said he attempted to mediate between the parties.
Why did other artists leave Sheeran’s tour?
Several supporting artists and members of Sheeran’s touring group withdrew following Macklemore’s removal, expressing solidarity with him and concerns surrounding freedom of expression.
Is the latest Ed Sheeran controversy about copyright?
No. The latest controversy is primarily about Macklemore’s removal from the Loop Tour and the resulting debate over political expression and neutrality. It is separate from Sheeran’s earlier copyright lawsuits.
What song was involved in Sheeran’s biggest U.S. copyright case?
The principal U.S. case involved Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend’s “Let’s Get It On.” The jury ultimately found in Sheeran’s favor.
Final Takeaway
Ed Sheeran remains a major figure in celebrity news, but the latest headlines require careful separation of fact and commentary. His previous copyright battles generated substantial legal scrutiny, yet the major cases over “Thinking Out Loud” and “Shape of You” ended in his favor.
The current “cowardly” criticism comes from a separate 2026 controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour. Sheeran has said he did not make the decision and attempted to mediate the dispute.
As the story develops, the key issues to watch are the future of Sheeran’s U.S. tour, statements from the promoter and venues, and whether additional artists respond to the controversy.
For readers searching for an Ed Sheeran copyright lawsuit update, the most important fact is that the established major copyright cases and the current tour controversy are separate stories. Keeping those timelines distinct provides a clearer picture of what is actually happening around the singer.
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