Pharrell, Robin Thicke to pay $7.4m for copyright breach

A jury in Los Angeles has ordered songwriters of the hit single Blurred lines, Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke, to pay $7.4 million to Marvin Gaye’s children for copyright infringement.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the pay-out sets a new record high for copyright infringement. This is compared to $5.4 million that Micheal Bolton had to pay the Isle Brothers for Love Is A Wonderful thing in 1994.

Marvin Gaye died in April 1984, leaving his children the copyright to his music, and the jurors agreed with their argument that the 2013 smash hit Blurred lines was too similar to their father’s 1977 hit song Got To Give It Up.

Pharrell has mentioned in previous press interviews that Gaye’s song was the “inspiration” behind Blurred lines. He filed a preemptive lawsuit against Gaye’s estate to prevent a lawsuit suing them for copyright infringement. They lost that lawsuit and his children – Nona, Frankie and Marvin Gaye III – then sued Robin, Pharrell and T.I., but T.I was not found liable for his rap contributions.

“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,” Nona told journalists after the ruling.

The lawyer representing the Gaye family also revealed to reporters that they would be filing another suit next week. The suit is intended to ask the court to stop any further sale or distribution of the song until negotiation of further proceeds of the song have been completed.

Pharrell and Robin Thicke later released a statement, saying: “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.

“Blurred Lines was created from the heart and minds of Pharrell, Robin and T.I. and 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.”

Court documents revealed that, so far, the song has made $16.5 million in profits. Pharrell and Robin pocketed over $5million each and $700,000 went to T.I.

The song was released as the lead single from Robin Thicke’s album, also titled Blurred lines, released on March 26, 2013.

It reached number one in 20 countries and in the US, it was the longest-running number one single of the last decade.

The song became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with sales of 14.8 million copies. It also broke the record for largest radio audience in history.