Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams Found Guilty of Copying Marvin Gaye Song for ‘Blurred Lines’
After a lengthy legal battle, the Marvin Gaye family has come out victorious in their copyright-infringement case against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams. On Tuesday (March 10), a California federal jury found Thicke and Williams guilty of copying Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up” for their 2013 hit “Blurred Lines.”
The jury, comprised of five women and three men, ordered Thicke and Williams to pay the Gaye Family in total $7.4 million in copyright damages and profits related to infringement.
According to CBS News, Gaye's children -- Nona, Frankie and Marvin Gaye III -- were present in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Nona Gaye wept and was hugged by her attorney, Richard Busch.
"Right now, I feel free," said Nona Gaye said outside of the courtroom. "Free from... Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke's chains and what they tried to keep on us and the lies that were told."
The case is not entirely over and could face years of appeals. Gaye Family’s attorney now plans to seek a permanent injunction on future sales of “Blurred Lines." Busch said that he will file documents in a couple of weeks to essentially stop the song from making money while the infringement still exists.
“Blurred Lines” has made over $16 million in profits and garnered both Thicke and Williams two Grammy Awards nominations. The pair also earned $5 million each for the song, while T.I. netted $700,000 for his contribution.
Attorneys for Thicke and Williams had no comment on the jury’s decision.
A representative issued a statement on behalf of Thicke, Williams and T.I. "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."
What do you think of the jury’s verdict in favor of the Marvin Gaye Family? Tell us in the comments below.