February 3, 2023
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Friday, October 31, 2014
Robin Thicke & Pharrell Lose First Fight Against Marvin Gaye’s Family
Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ legal battle with Marvin Gaye’s family over “Blurred Lines” has escalated. According to Billboard, a California judge has ruled in favor of Gaye’s family and scheduled a trial for February 10, 2015.
The ruling states that Gaye’s family has made a sufficient showing that elements of Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” may be substantially similar to the soul singer’s 1977 classic, “Got to Give It Up.”
In September, Thicke and Williams sued Gaye’s family in an effort to prevent future legal action against them over the song. The preemptive move was in response to claims by Gaye’s family that “Blurred Lines” is a knock-off and threats of legal action.
Billboard writes:
“The judge points to genuine issues of material fact existing as to the substantial similarity of signature phrases, hooks, bass lines, keyboard chords, harmonic structures and vocal melodies of the two songs. The judge also writes that the Gaye family has offered sufficient evidence to create triable issues about whether their 11-note signature phrase, four-note hook, four-bar bass line, 16-bar harmonic structure and four-note vocal melody are protectable expressions.”
“Blurred Lines” was the best-selling digital single of 2013 and is currently the second best-selling digital single of all time, behind The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling.” While copyright lawsuits in the music industry are common, this particular case could turn out to be one of the biggest trials ever over alleged song theft.
Do you think “Blurred Lines” is a knock-off of “Got to Give it Up”? Listen below:
Related: LMFAO Responds to Rick Ross Lawsuit
