Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams To Pay Marvin Gay’s Family Royalties For “Blurred Lines”

Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams have had a lengthy court case on their hands after being accused of copying the Marvin Gaye hit “Got To Give It Up” in their song “Blurred Lines...
Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams To Pay Marvin Gay’s Family Royalties For “Blurred Lines”
Written by Amanda Crum
  • Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams have had a lengthy court case on their hands after being accused of copying the Marvin Gaye hit “Got To Give It Up” in their song “Blurred Lines”, and it’s still not over.

    The musicians–along with rapper T.I.–will reportedly appeal a decision by U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt to uphold the ruling that their song is too much like Gaye’s. The good news is that Kronstadt also reduced the amount of damages they’ll have to pay, but they’ll still owe millions to Gaye’s family and, according to the ruling, will also hand over part of any royalties incurred in the future.

    “We are reviewing and digesting the decision. Obviously we are thrilled with the decision by the Court not only affirming the decision of the jury that Mr. Thicke and Mr. Williams committed copyright infringement, but also the decision holding Mr. Harris and Universal liable as well, and ordering that the defendants pay the Gaye family 50 percent off all publishing revenue from ‘Blurred Lines’ going forward. As far as the reduction in damages, we are reviewing that, and the Court’s analysis on that issue, and will be discussing internally our options,” said Richard Busch, one of the attorneys for the Gaye family.

    “Blurred Lines” was a huge hit pretty much from the moment it came out, and Robin Thicke received quite a bit of attention for his use of nude models in the video and for his racy stage performance with Miley Cyrus at the MTV Music Awards. Paul Phillips, another attorney for the Gaye family, says they are prepared for the musicians to appeal the decision and will move forward from there.

    “It’s clear that the positions taken by Mr. Thicke and his team at trial weren’t any more persuasive today than they were when the jury came down on the side of the Gaye family in March of this year. And while we’re thrilled with where we are in the case at the moment, we’re also fully prepared for whatever steps the Thicke parties may elect to take next — until now they’ve only delayed the inevitable.”

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