Ed Sheeran has reportedly asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed earlier this year by two Australians who accuse him of ripping off a song they wrote.
Sean Carey and Beau Golden allege that Sheeran’s “The Rest Of Our Life” – penned for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – is a “blatant copying" of their 2014 song, "When I Found You.” They claim “the copying is, in many instances, verbatim, note-for-note copying of original elements of the song, and is obvious to the ordinary observer.”
They filed suit against Sheeran in January, seeking at least $5 million U.S. in damages plus profits, royalties and costs.
On Monday, according to TMZ, Sheeran countered that his song is an “originally and independently created musical composition.”
MORE: Ed Sheeran Accused Of Ripping Off Australian Song
In 2016, Sheeran and Snow Patrol’s Jonny McDaid were sued by songwriters Thomas Leonard and Martin Harrington, who claimed Sheeran’s 2014 hit “Photograph” copied their 2012 Matt Cardle track “Amazing.”
"The similarities go beyond substantial,” their lawsuit alleged. “The similarity of words, vocal style, vocal melody, melody, and rhythm are clear indicators, among other things, that ‘Photograph’ copies ‘Amazing.’”
The case was dismissed last year after the two sides reached a settlement. (Leonard and Harrington were added as co-songwriters.)
Sheeran was also sued by the family of songwriter Ed Townsend, who alleged that “Thinking Out Loud” ripped off Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On.” A judge dismissed the case for lack of evidence.