Lawsuit document: "The songs' similarities reach the very essence of the work."
Ed Sheeran is facing a hefty lawsuit for reportedly copying lyrics from a song released by X Factor’s Matt Cardle. The $20-million-dollar lawsuit claims that Sheeran’s hit Photograph allegedly borrowed from Cardle’s single Amazing.
In the lawsuit filed against Sheeran, it states, “The chorus sections of Amazing and the infringing Photograph share 39 identical notes – meaning the notes are identical in pitch, rhythmic duration, and placement in the measure. The songs’ similarities reach the very essence of the work. The similarities go beyond substantial, which is itself sufficient to establish copyright infringement, and are in fact striking. The similarity of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody, and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that Photograph copies Amazing.”
Along with Sheeran, co-writer Johnny McDaid, Sony/ATV Songs, Polar Patrol Music and Warner Music Group are named on the lawsuit.
The case is similar to the lawsuit filed against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams for copyright infringement due to the similarities between Marvin Gaye’s Got to Give it Up and Blurred Lines, the latter written and produced by Thicke and Williams. The verdict ordered the two to pay up, prompting them to deny copying any part of the song and appeal the decision. The payout was eventually reduced on appeal.
Their lawyer said in a statement, “My clients know that they wrote the song Blurred Lines from their hearts and souls and no other source. We are going to exercise every post trial remedy we have to make sure this verdict does not stand. We look at it as being in the seventh inning of a game that could go into extra innings.”
Lawyer Richard Busch is representing Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard, the songwriters behind the single Amazing.
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