Oh, no!
Ed Sheeran has allegedly plagiarised his hit “Photograph”, according to a new lawsuit representing songwriters Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard as well as their company HoloSongs, seeking more than $20 million.
The lawsuit claims that the single bore “Verbatim, note-for-note” similarities to their song “Amazing”, which The X Factor winner Matt Cardle recorded in 2012.
The lawsuit included musical charts to demonstrate parallels between the songs’ chord progressions, melodies and rhythms. They claim that some 70% of the chorus from “Photograph” is identical to that of “Amazing,” right down to the phrasing.
Their lawyer, Richard Busch, won a similar suit regarding Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” for the family of Marvin Gaye last year.
Co-defendants in the suit include “Photograph” co-writer and Snow Patrol pianist and guitarist Johnny McDaid, as well as various music publishers and the record label Warner Music Group.
On top of the $20 million figure, Busch is seeking statutory damages and either an injunction or a royalty for his clients. They also seek a portion of the sale price since “Photograph” made a company – Polar Patrol Music Publishing – more valuable.
Reps for Sheeran haven’t provided any comment.
