Ed Sheeran Sued For $20M For Allegedly Stealing Song

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is being sued for $20 million for alleged plagiarism.

He is accused of ripping off a song covered by an "X Factor" winner as the basis for his big hit "Photograph," according to the lawsuit.

Ed Sheeran - Photograph (Official Music Video) by Ed Sheeran on YouTube

In the complaint for copyright infringement, composers Martin Harrington and Tom Leonard contend that "Photograph" was derived from their 2009 song - "Amazing."

Harrington and Leonard claim "Amazing" and "Photograph" are nearly identical in pitch, tempo and structure, the lawsuit said.

It was recorded and released as a single by Matt Cardle, winner of the 2010 season of "The X Factor."

Cardle is not a party in the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles federal court.

The Grammy winner's management company in England has not responded to a request for comment.

"Photograph" topped pop charts globally and sold more than 3.5 million copies, according to the lawsuit

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