14 DAY TRIAL // Robin Thicke had an amazing 2013, mostly thanks to the biggest hit of the year, his collaboration with Pharrell Williams and T.I., “Blurred Lines,” but a not-so-great 2014, as he failed to follow it up with equally catchy releases. 2015 isn’t shaping up to be that great either, because a judge just ruled he and Pharrell ripped off a Marvin Gaye classic for their track.
Talk of how similar “Blurred Lines” was to the 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up” started shortly after the release of the former, when the Gaye family spoke about it to the press. Also then, they hinted that they were weighing their options for a lawsuit.
Thicke and Pharrell stole from Gaye, T.I. walks
Before the Gaye family filed the papers, Thicke tried to counter the initiative by filing a preemptive lawsuit against the Gayes for wrongly claiming copyright. He also said that he had been “inspired” by Gaye’s song, which was actually one of his favorites, but that he didn’t steal it.
He would later backpedal on this too, trying to lay all the blame at Pharrell’s door.
A judge decided that there was enough evidence for the case to go to trial, which is exactly what happened. Some hours ago, Variety reports, the judge ruled, based on testimonies from all parties involved, including the 3 alleged musical thieves, that “Blurred Lines” ripped off “Got to Give It Up.”
The Gaye family will receive $7.4 million (€6.95 million) in compensation: it’s not even a third of the amount they were asking for, but the victory of being told they were right is more important to them, Marvin’s daughter Nona Gaye told reporters outside the courthouse.
“Right now, I feel free. Free from Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke’s chains and what they tried to keep on us and the lies that were told,” she said.
The judge also ruled that T.I., who was also named in the lawsuit with Thicke and Pharrell, is not guilty of infringing copyright since he gets no credit for writing the song.
Speaking of which, the trial also revealed that “Blurred Lines” made over $15 million (€14.7 million) in total, which was divided as such: $5.6 million (€5.2 million) for Thicke, $5.2 million (€4.8 million) for Pharrell and the rest for the record label.
Thicke changed stories a lot during the trial
“Blurred Lines” made a lot of money for everyone involved in it in any capacity, so no wonder Thicke and Pharrell were quick to respond to allegations of copyright infringement, long before the court documents were filed.
As noted above, Thicke first claimed that he’d told Pharrell that “Got to Give It Up” was his favorite song and that he’d like to be able to release a track with that particular “feel.” Pharrell, like the genius he is, got to work, and together with Robin, in a matter of hours, they already had most of the song, written and recorded.
As the threat of the lawsuit loomed closer, Thicke attempted to throw Pharrell under the proverbial bus, saying he’d lied in interviews in which he mentioned Gaye’s influence on “Blurred Lines.”
He also alleged that, at the time “Blurred Lines” was written and recorded, he was high on Vicodin and intoxicated on alcohol, so he was really in no condition to take part in the creative process. Pharrell was the man who had done it all.
However, when the song became such a hit, Thicke continued, he lied and exaggerated his contribution to it because he wanted to get credit for it in the press.
As of the time of writing, Thicke and Williams are yet to respond to calls for comment on the verdict. Needless to say, this will have a huge impact on their reputation and credibility as artists.
