Ed Sheeran getting sued for $20m by Matt Cardle songwriters over hit track Photograph
SINGER Ed Sheeran is facing legal action for allegedly copying a song released by X Factor winner Matt Cardle.
Ed Sheeran is being sued by the songwriter's behind Matt Cardle's Amazing
The songwriters behind the 2011 track Amazing - sung by Matt - claim that the 25-year-old’s hit Photograph infringes on their copyright.
According to court documents for the $20 million (approximately £13 million) lawsuit, Amazing's songwriters Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard say that Photograph’s “similarities go beyond substantial”.
The suit goes on to state: “The similarity of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that Photograph copies Amazing."
The papers also allege: “Given the striking similarity between the chorus of Amazing and Photograph, [the] defendants knew when writing, publishing, recording, releasing, and distributing Photograph that they were infringing on a pre-existing musical composition.
"The conduct of [the] defendants has been wilful from the inception of the creation of Photograph."
It added: "The copying of Amazing by Photograph is breathtaking in its deliberateness, magnitude, and hubris."
It has proved to be a commercial success and has now been used in the soundtrack for the new film Me Before You, starring Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke.
Matt, 33, won The X Factor in 2010, beating off competition from One Direction, Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson.
Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Ed Sheeran and Matt Cardle about this story.