Tyler Perry is facing legal action over accusations he used portions of a song written by the late Bertha James in his movie Madea Goes To Jail without permission.

Officials from the gospel vocalist's estate are suing Perry, alleging he lifted lines from her 1950 track When I Think of the Goodness of Jesus and included them in the hit 2009 film, reports TMZ.com.

According to the federal lawsuit, the song's entire chorus is used in a monologue delivered by lead character Madea.

Representatives for James are seeking unspecified damages from Perry and Lionsgate Entertainment, the studio that distributed the comedy.