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.
[AP]
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