Jury Finds Robin Thicke, Pharrell Ripped Off Marvin Gaye Song

11 March 2015 | 9:36 am | Staff Writer

Gaye family to receive over $7M in damages

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The family of Marvin Gaye will be awarded over $US7 million in damages after a US court found Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke had lifted parts of the singer's track Got To Give It Up for their 2013 smash hit Blurred Lines.

The verdict was made by the jury a few hours ago in Los Angeles, with the Gaye family set to receive $US7.36 million over the copyright infringement. Three of Gaye's children were present at the hearing.

The case began in 2013, with Thicke, Williams and rapper T.I., who also featured on the song, filing a lawsuit against Gaye's family and Bridgeport Music to protect Blurred Lines after Gaye's camp accused them of ripping off Got To Give It Up. Gaye's family then counter-sued. Thicke and Williams, both credited as songwriters on Blurred Lines, maintained they did not copy Gaye's track, though both said they had been inspired by the late soul singer throughout their careers.

During the on-going trial, it was revealed Blurred Lines pulled in total revenue of $US16,675,690 (about $21.3 million), with Thicke and Williams taking home over $US5 million each.

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