A jury agreed that Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams copied Marvin Gaye’s classic single “Got to Give It Up” in their mega hit single “Blurred Lines” which also featured rapper T.I.
Marvin Gaye’s estate has won a multimillion dollar lawsuit against Thicke and Williams and was awarded $7.3 million.
The mega hit single earned a profit in the ball park of $17 million after selling millions of copies worldwide. Approximately $5.2 million of that profit went to Pharrell Williams, $5.6 million went to Robin Thicke and $700,000 went to T.I. while the balance went to the record companies.
In a joint statement, Williams, Thicke and T.I. says the song was made from the heart.
“While we respect the judicial process, we are extremely disappointed in the ruling made today, which sets a horrible precedent for music and creativity going forward,” the statement reads. “‘Blurred Lines’ was created from the heart and minds of Pharrell, Robin and T.I. and not taken from anyone or anywhere else. We are reviewing the decision, considering our options and you will hear more from us soon about this matter.”
Marvin Gaye family initially filed a $25 million lawsuit against the trio. But after over a year of legal back and forth, the case has finally concluded.
But Thicke and Williams has already hinted that an appeal could be in the works.
You can listen to both songs below.
MArvin Gaye’s family is already moving to halt further sales of the single “Blurred Lines” at least until an agreement is reached.
“We’ll be asking the court to enter an injunction prohibiting the further sale and distribution of ‘Blurred Lines’ unless and until we can reach an agreement with those guys on the other side about how future monies that are received will be shared,” attorney Richard Busch, who represents the Gaye family, tells Rolling Stone. “We’ll be doing that in about a week or so.”
