Ed Sheeran is being sued for $20million (£13.7M) over copyright - and the attorney in the case just won the Marvin Gaye lawsuit over infringement on Blurred Lines.

The British musician, 25, has been accused of making a 'note-for-note copy' of a Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard song called Amazing, released by X Factor winner Matt Cardle six years ago.

Ed's song Photograph came out in 2014 as part of the No. 2 album Multiply and has most recently been used in the soundtrack for big screen romance Me Before You.

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Facing legal action: Ed Sheeran has been accused of copyright on his 2014 hit Photograph, which will soon feature as part of the Me Before You soundtrack

Copyright: The song in question features on Ed's No2 album Multiply

In court documents obtained by MailOnline on Wednesday, Harrington and Leonard, along with HaloSongs, can be seen to bring an action against Ed and co-writer Johnny McDaid, from Snow Patrol.

They are specifically accused of, 'participating in a scheme aiding, inducing, and contributing to copyright infringement in the U.S.'

According to the plaintiffs, Photograph - among others on the album - 'copied, and exploited, without authorization or credit, the work of other active, professional songwriters, on a breathtaking scale, unabashedly taking credit for the work of these songwriters by claiming it to be their own.'

Harrington and Leonard therefore believe that their song has been copied by Sheeran.

It was originally released by Matt, who won British TV talent competition The X Factor in 2010, though Amazing charted at No84 in UK.

Remember this: X Factor 2010 winner Matt Cardle released Amazing, written by Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard, in 2011 as his third single but the songwriters claim Photograph is a 'note-for-note' copy of theirs

Matt competed in the same year that international pop sensations One Direction were formed and his debut single When We Collide went straight to No1.

Though the singer is not involved in the lawsuit, Harrington and Leonard have called in representation from Richard Busch, the attorney who won $7million (£4.8M) on behalf of Marvin Gaye’s family against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams in March 2015.

In this case, the plaintiffs take issue with 39 notes in the chorus that share 'pitch, rhythmic duration, and placement in the measure.'

Taken to court: The song-writers Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard say there is a 'similarity of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody, and rhythm'

Befitting of a love story: The track has been used in a 2016 big screen flick, Me Before You, starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin (pictured)

There is also 'similarity of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody, and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that Photograph copies Amazing.'

A representative for Ed Sheeran has been contacted by MailOnline for comment, though refused to comment when asked by other publications.

Harrington was previously behind What Took You So Long, his first release, which went on to reach No1 in the UK Singles Chart for former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

Winning: Attorney Richard Busch (left) is on the prosecution once again, after his triumph on behalf of Marvin Gaye's family (here with Nona Gaye, centre) against Blurred Lines hitmakers in March 2015

Sued: Robin Thicke, along with Pharrell Williams were sued for $7million (£4.8M) on the likeness of their 2014 song

He also wrote Let’s Dance for 5ive, Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue and produced with Natalie Imbruglia on her album Counting Down The Days.

It has been alleged that the song-writing duo failed to settle the lawsuit out of court but since December 2015, Ed has been taking a break from the spotlight.

Announcing that he would be absent from his well-followed social media outlets, Twitter and Instagram, Ed concluded his Multiply tour with a post that outlined his plans for 2016.

He wrote: 'I'm taking a break from my phone, emails and all social media for a while. I've had such an amazing ride over the last five years but I find myself seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes.

Song-writing duo: Ed wrote the popular song with Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid (here together in May 2013)

'So I'm taking this opportunity of me not having to be anywhere or do anything to travel the world and see everything I missed.'

In the same vein, he told his loyal fans to hold tight for a third album, which is 'the best thing [he's] made thus far.'

Ed shot to fame with the hit single The A Team in 2011, which was the first track from his breakthrough album Plus.

Since his breakthrough, he has won two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards and two MTV Europe Music Awards.

The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles this week at a federal court.

Matt is currently on a 16-date intimate tour around the UK, with gigs planned at Yeovil, Wirral and Canterbury.

Going offline: Following his Multiply tour (here in Australia) Ed announced that he was taking some time out