• Entertainment

Jury Says Robin Thicke and Pharrell Copied Marvin Gaye in Hit Song ‘Blurred Lines’

1 minute read

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

Photo of QUEEN
QueenJohn Rodgers—Redferns/Getty Images
'60s R&B Quintet "Jackson 5"
Jackson 5Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Spice Girls
Spice GirlsRay Burmiston—Photoshot/Getty Images
Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show
Kevin Mazur—WireImage/Getty Images
RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest - Ottawa, ON
BjörkMark Horton—WireImage/Getty Images
Diana Ross Performs In Dublin
Diana Ross performs in Dublin.ShowBizIreland/Getty Images
2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival - Night 1 - Show
Nicki MinajDenise Truscello—WireImage/Getty Images
Janis Joplin
Janis JoplinEvening Standard/Getty Images
Photo of Patti SMITH
Patti SmithDick Barnatt—Redferns/Getty Images
"How The West Was Won" Tour - Irvine, CA
Snoop DoggGabriel Olsen—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Photo of Jimi HENDRIX
Jimi HendrixDavid Redfern—Redferns/Getty Images
The Who
The WhoThe Visualeyes Archive/Redferns/Getty Images
Photo of Jim MORRISON and DOORS
The DoorsGunter Zint—Redferns/Getty Images
Led Zeppelin File Photos
Led ZeppelinChris Walter—WireImage/Getty Images
Photo of Flavor FLAV and Chuck D and PUBLIC ENEMY
Public EnemyDavid Corio—Redferns/Getty Images
Journey
JourneyMichael Putland—Getty Images
Kiss
KissMichael Putland—Getty Images
Photo of Run DMC
Run-D.M.C.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The Ramones
RamonesRoberta Bayley—Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Andre Agassi's 6th Grand Slam for Children Fundraiser - Show
Brian McKnightKMazur—WireImage/Getty Images
Fun Fun Fun Fest 2014
NasMerrick Ales—FilmMagic/Getty Images
Iggy Pop 1988
Iggy PopFrans Schellekens—Redferns/Getty Images
Kid Rock In Concert
Kid RockScott Legato—Getty Images

[AP]

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com