A jury said Tuesday that Robin Thicke and Pharrell copied a 1977 Marvin Gaye song in recording their 2013 hit “Blurred Lines.”
The decision awards $7.3 million to the Gaye family, who accused Thicke and Pharrell of infringing the copyright of Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” the Associated Press reported. The “Blurred Lines” duo have denied copying the late Motown singer’s tune, though Pharrell acknowledged the similarity of the two songs during his testimony this week.
“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,” a spokesperson for Pharrell told Rolling Stone. “Pharrell created ‘Blurred Lines’ from his heart, mind and soul and the song was 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.”
“Blurred Lines” was the No. 1 song on Billboard’s 2013 year-end U.S. pop songs chart.
Artists Who Have Never Won A Grammy
[AP]
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com