When songs have similar melodies, chords or lyrics, do you think it is more often a result of plagiarism or sheer coincidence?
After the ruling, Mr. Sheeran said that given the limited notes and chords common in pop music and the thousands of songs released each day, “coincidences are bound to happen.” Do you agree? If two songs sound alike, do you tend to think it’s a result of one artist stealing from another — consciously or unconsciously — or a coincidence? Briefly listen to the two songs in this case: Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” and Sami Switch’s “Oh Why.” How alike do they sound to you? If you were the judge, how would you have ruled, and why? In your view, when is it OK for an artist to borrow from someone else’s work? Can you think of any examples when it would be acceptable? When do you think borrowing crosses the line into plagiarism? Do you think artists should be punished for “cryptomnesia” — a term for when someone mistakes an idea they have already encountered for an original thought? Have you ever experienced cryptomnesia? Do you think it is possible to determine when it has occurred? This case is similar to many other suits against pop musicians. Do you agree with Mr. Sheeran, who believes that cases of this kind are too common? Why or why not? “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran is currently the most streamed song on Spotify, but another musician accused Mr. Sheeran of copying parts of it. In “Ed Sheeran Wins ‘Shape of You’ Plagiarism Case,” Alex Marshall writes about a judge’s recent ruling that has wider implications for the music industry.
