Ed Sheeran settles $20 million plagiarism lawsuit over Photograph

Ed Sheeran settles $20 million plagiarism lawsuit over Photograph

Ed Sheeran was hit with a $20 million (£14 million) lawsuit over allegations that he "note-for-note" copied 'Amazing', a song written for X Factor winner Matt Cardle, in his single 'Photograph'.

Songwriters Thomas Leonard and Martin Harrington sued Sheeran, saying in their legal documents: "The similarities go beyond substantial, which is itself sufficient to establish copyright infringement and are in fact striking."

The lawsuit claims that there are 39 identical notes used in each song.

There was also, they claimed, a similarity of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody, and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that Photograph copies Amazing.'

Amazing was originally released by Matt, who won British TV talent competition The X Factor in 2010, charting at a disappointing Number 84 in UK.

In court documents obtained by MailOnline in June 2016, Harrington and Leonard, along with HaloSongs, were seen to action against Ed and his co-writer, Snow Patrol star Johnny McDaid in a $20 million (£16 million) lawsuit.

Leonard and Harrington were represented by Richard Busch, the lawyer who helped the family of Marvin Gaye win a copyright infringement case in 2015. Gaye’s family successfully sued Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams over their single Blurred Lines, winning a $7.4m (£5.96m) settlement.

A judge in California confirmed that the case had been settled out of court. While the details of the settlement have not been disclosed, the damages awarded will likely be substantial.

From: www.joe.co.uk
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