Ed Sheeran set for copyright battle today over his hit Shape of You

Ed Sheeran is set for copyright battle at the High Court today after two songwriters claimed his 2017 hit Shape of You infringes ‘line and phrases’ from their song ‘Oh Why’

• Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You was the best-selling song in the UK back in 2017 
• Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue claim it ripped off parts of their own song
• A three-week trial will begin at the High Court in central London on Friday 

Ed Sheeran’s copyright trial will begin today after two songwriters claimed his biggest ever hit – Shape Of You – ripped off parts of their song.  

Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue allege the 2017 melody infringes ‘particular lines and phrases’ of their own track, called Oh Why.

A three-week trial will start at the High Court in central London on Friday, with proceedings scheduled to begin at 10.30am.   

Sheeran, 31, and his co-authors for the song first issued legal proceedings in May 2018, asking the High Court to declare that they had not infringed Mr Chokri and Mr O’Donoghue’s copyright.

Two months later, in July 2018, Mr Chokri and Mr O’Donoghue issued their own claim for ‘copyright infringement, damages and an account of profits in relation to the alleged infringement’, according to the latest ruling.

The battle caused royalties from the song to be suspended pending a court decision, while Sheeran – who is worth an estimated £147million – said his reputation had been sullied by the allegations. 

Ed Sheeran’s copyright trial will begin today after two songwriters claimed his biggest ever hit – Shape Of You – ripped off parts of their song. (Pictured: Ed Sheeran at The Brit Awards last month)

Sami Chokri (pictured) and Ross O’Donoghue allege the 2017 hit Shape of You infringes ‘particular lines and phrases’ of their own track, called Oh Why

Shape Of You was a worldwide hit, becoming the best-selling song of 2017 in the UK, and the most streamed song in the history of Spotify – reaching number one in 34 different countries.

Chokri previously claimed that Sheeran’s work also included ‘stolen’ material from the likes of TLC, Shaggy and American country singer Jasmine Rae. 

In a November 2020 ruling, Judge Francesca Kaye said the parties involved in the case ‘anticipated that they would incur costs in the region of £3million between them on this dispute’.

The case is due to be heard from 10.30am on Friday and is expected to last for up to three weeks.

Sheeran may be called to give evidence but it is not known if or when he will attend the court.

Sheeran (pictured) may be called to give evidence but it is not known if or when he will attend the court

It comes after the star was involved in another lawsuit in 2017, which he ended up settling for $20 million, over his song Photograph.

He had been accused of making a ‘note-for-note copy’ of a Martin Harrington and Thomas Leonard song called Amazing, released by former The X Factor winner Matt Cardle seven years ago.

In court documents obtained by MailOnline in June 2016, Harrington and Leonard, along with HaloSongs, were seen to take action against Ed and his co-writer, Snow Patrol star Johnny McDaid in a $20 million (£16 million) lawsuit.

But California-based judge James Selna confirmed a year later that the case had been dismissed after Sheeran reached an agreement with the two songwriters, who have previously written for Kylie Minogue, 5ive and Emma Bunton.

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