Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams Lose 'Blurred Lines' Trial
Jurors in the “Blurred Lines” trial sided with the family of Marvin Gaye Tuesday (March 10), finding that Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams copied the late singer’s music to construct their hit single. The Gaye family has been awarded $7.3 million.
Both Thicke and Williams denied consciously stealing Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” to create the 2013 smash. Thicke stated that he was high and drunk during the writing and recording, and that Williams did most of the work. Skatebord P agreed, but testified last week that he captured the “feel” of the ‘70s era R&B/funk music, rather than intentionally stealing from Gaye. “Sometimes when you look back on your past work, you see echoes of people. But that doesn’t mean that’s what you were doing,” he said.
“Blurred Lines” made upwards of $16 million, with Thicke and Williams receiving more than $10 million combined. T.I., whose rap verse was a last-minute addition to the track, made less than $800,000.
The Gaye family sued in 2013, after Thicke filed his own lawsuit and attempted an out-of-court settlement.
Gaye’s daughter, Nina, was reportedly brought to tears when the verdict was read today.
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(Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Walmart)