Ed Sheeran settles £15 million 'Photograph' copyright lawsuit

Ed Sheeran has reached an agreement to end the $20 million (£15 million) copyright lawsuit that was filled against him.

Ed was being sued for a massive £15 million after allegedly 'copying' former X Factor winner Matt Cardle's song.

Songwriters Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard filed a lawsuit against Ed last June claiming his popular track 'Photograph' is a note for note copy of Matt's single 'Amazing'.

The lawsuit stated "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 similarities of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody, and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that 'Photograph' copies 'Amazing'."

Matt won The X Factor back in 2010 after beating off competition from runner up Rebecca Ferguson and released 'Amazing' as his third single one year later. The song failed to make an impact on the UK charts and didn't reach the top 30.

It's was a slightly different story for Ed's popular track 'Photograph'. After co-writing the track with Johnny McDaid from Snow Patrol, the song stormed the charts around the world in 2015 and has since become one of Ed's most popular tracks.

Now the case between Ed and the songwriters has been settled. Judge James Selna signed an order at California court yesterday (10th April) dismissing the case after an agreement had been reached between the parties. The details of the settlement are yet to be released.