Finally, after a whirlwind of a legal battle, a jury has decided that most of 2013's song of the summer was undoubtedly taken without permission from Marvin Gaye's 1977 hit, 'Got to Give it Up'. The 'Blurred Lines' lawsuit culminated with the court awarding Gaye's family $7.4 million for damages.
The drama started a few years ago, when Blurred Lines singers Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams filed a pre-emptive lawsuit against Marvin Gaye's estate. This invariably led to the Gayes filing their own suit and deposition, which eventually led to a full trial.
The Gayes' had contended that they recognized strange similarities between the two songs the moment they heard Blurred Lines. They aren't alone in this notion, though, because a lot of reviewers, fans, and even a professional musicologist had concurring findings.
Eight jurors listened to evidence and witness testimonies until they arrived at a conclusion for the Blurred Lines lawsuit. The ironic thing is, the jury did not have to listen to the actual songs to make the decision, because at the time when Marvin Gaye filed for a copyright, only the sheet music composition itself could be protected. U.S. District Court Judge John Kronstadt therefore ruled that the jury could only consider evidence on paper.
In a joint statement, Thicke and Pharrell expressed their disappointment over the ruling for the Blurred Lines lawsuit, claiming that it sets "a horrible precedent" for the music industry and creativity in general. They nevertheless believe that their song was created from out of their hearts and minds, and not pilfered from any other artist.
Nona, Gaye's daughter, also released an emotional statement after the drama of the Blurred Lines lawsuit ended, and the verdict was released. "Right now, I feel free," she said. Finally freed from Thick and Pharrell's claims, she believes that her father's musical legacy should live on and be respected.
T.I, who went by Clifford Harris, his real name, in the courtroom, was ruled to be exempt from the fine, as the jury decided that he did not infringe on the Gaye copyright, despite being credited as co-writer for the song. He got out of the Blurred Lines lawsuit relatively unscathed.
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