Aussie Songwriters File Copyright Lawsuit Against Ed Sheeran

Two Australian songwriters have filed a copyright lawsuit against Ed Sheeran, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in regards to an October-released track, The Rest Of Our Life.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a complaint filed on Wednesday in New York federal court claims that McGraw and Hill's song, co-written by Sheeran, is "blatant copying" of Sean Carey and Beau Golden's 2014 track, When I Found You, released by Melbourne artist Jasmine Rae.

"The copying is, in many instances, verbatim, note-for-note copying of original elements of the Song, and is obvious to the ordinary observer," the complaint reads.

Carey and Golden are being represented by Richard Busch, who won the highly-publicised trial against Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines.

It is further alleged that Sony Music employees were aware of the copying. 

Busch claims that Rae wanted to involve her boyfriend and marketing manager at Sony, Tim Holland, in the legal process. 

"… Mr Holland admitted to knowing about the Infringing Song months in advance of its release because he was tasked with promoting and marketing the Infringing Song and Infringing Sound Recording before its release," the complaint continues.

"When questioned by Plaintiffs as to his silence about the similarities between When I Found You and the Infringing Song/Infringing Sound Recording, Mr Holland stated he did not want to lose his job with Sony Music.

"… When pressed further by Plaintiffs, Mr Holland indicated that he had known that the songs were substantially similar for more than two months prior to the October 5, 2017 release date of the Infringing Song/Infringing Sound Recording."

Carey and Golden further claim that Holland was "instrumental in bringing Plaintiffs' work to the attention of the Defendants and likely provided access to it. Indeed, it strains credibility to believe that it is just a coincidence that the Infringing Song/Infringing Sound Recording, a blatant note for note copy of the Song, was created without Mr Holland’s providing access, when Mr Holland is the boyfriend of one of the writers of the Song.

"In support of this position, Plaintiffs allege, upon information and belief, that Mr Holland presented Plaintiffs' song to Sony Music in an effort to gain exposure for Ms Rae and promote her work."

Carey and Golden are seeking injunctive relief and at least $5 million in damages plus profits, a running royalty and an award of attorney's fees and costs.

Listen to the two tracks below. 

The Music has contacted Rae's label for comment.