British superstar Ed Sheeran is being sued for $20 million by songwriters who wrote Matt Cardle's 'X Factor' winner's song 'Amazing'. 

The lawyer who recently won the case for Marvin Gaye’s family over the smash hit 'Blurred Lines', attorney Richard Busch, has been enlisted to represent songwriters Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard.

The pair explain that Sheeran's song 'Photograph' is identical to 'Amazing' and it was “note-for-note” copied by the flame-haired musician. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles this week and both Harrington and Leonard say that even individuals without musical skill will be able to hear the similarities:

"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."

They add: "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.”

The lawsuit states that Harrington and Leonard sought to settle their copyright claims privately before bringing the case to court. The Guardian newspaper confirms that a representative for Ed Sheeran had declined to comment, and Matt Cardle hasn't been included in the case. 

Follow us: @Pressparty on Twitter / Pressparty on Facebook.

Listen to Ed Sheeran's 'Photograph' and Matt Cardle's 'Amazing' below: