‘Blurred Lines’ Verdict: Pharrell, Robin Thicke Ordered to Pay $7.3 Million to Marvin Gaye Family

 

The jury has reached a verdict in the "Blurred Lines" case against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams, ordering them to pay $7.3 million to the family of Marvin Gaye for copyright infringement.

In the trial, Marvin Gaye’s family argued that 2013’s “Blurred Lines” copied their father’s 1977 song “Got to Give Up,” and sued Thicke, Williams and Clifford Harris Jr., a.k.a. T.I. The three had sought a jury determination that the song was not an infringement, and the Gaye family filed a countersuit.

“Blurred Lines” was a huge hit in 2013 and, by many measures, was the top song of the year. Since it was released, “Blurred Lines” has made nearly $16.5 million, with the Gaye heirs seeking a portion of the profits. Overall, the family sought more than $25 million. Gaye died in 1984.

You be the judge...

 

Everybody pay up....

Certainly similar but it doesn't sound like 7.3 million worth.

Certainly similar but it doesn't sound like 7.3 million worth.

 

I'm sure each of them made that and more off the back of that song.

Certainly similar but it doesn't sound like 7.3 million worth.

 

I'm with you.

What CWB posted says 16.5 million.

 

Either way, that song was probably going to produce very little for the estate moving forward without the "new version." 7.3 million sounds like too much to me considering the estate had basically nothing.

 

At the same time, shame on those artists...

14.8 million copies of the single were sold (going rate for a single song on iTunes is generally between $0.99-$1.49, I believe)...plus who knows how many copies of the album were bought because of the song. Plus any royalties to date. Sounds like the Marvin Gaye estate is getting somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 of the total take on the song.

Seems like all of the original musical ideas have been used and current musicians are having to go back a couple of decades for inspiration...:lol2:

14.8 million copies of the single were sold (going rate for a single song on iTunes is generally between $0.99-$1.49, I believe)...plus who knows how many copies of the album were bought because of the song. Plus any royalties to date. Sounds like the Marvin Gaye estate is getting somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 of the total take on the song.

 

Add in how much these guys made in appearances, concerts and/or endorsements. I'm sure they made quite a bit of coin and won't be hurting for money.

 

BTW, I like Marvin's version better. :thumb:

14.8 million copies of the single were sold (going rate for a single song on iTunes is generally between $0.99-$1.49, I believe)...plus who knows how many copies of the album were bought because of the song. Plus any royalties to date. Sounds like the Marvin Gaye estate is getting somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 of the total take on the song.

 

What CWB posted says 16.5 million.

 

I missed that figure the first time reading. Interesting...14.8 million copies sold of the single alone, but only $16.5 million in sales? I would have put that much higher.

 

Still sounds like the estate was really going for deep pockets, initially demanding $25 million in damages.

Love Marvin Gaye, however I never even thought the songs sounded familiar and it never even crossed my mind - maybe the beat a certain points.

They are similar but the amount seems extravagant. I guess the sound combined with Thicke's acknowledgement of being a Gaye fansounded like money to the Estates ears.

I think it's a bunch of crap. It's not even worth doing music anymore.

I missed that figure the first time reading. Interesting...14.8 million copies sold of the single alone, but only $16.5 million in sales? I would have put that much higher.

 

Still sounds like the estate was really going for deep pockets, initially demanding $25 million in damages.

 

Watch the post trial interview. The family Rep has sunglasses on and is dramatically recalling how they are now "free" from Robin Thicke and Pharrell. I was confused. I thought they just stole the song not abducted the entire Gaye lineage.