Robin Thicke, Pharrell & T.I. Appeal “Blurred Lines” Copyright Infringement Case

Last year, Marvin Gaye’s estate was awarded $7.4 million in their lawsuit against “Blurred Lines” creators Robin Thicke and Pharrell for its illegal sampling of Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up.” The payout was later reduced to $5.3 million, though T.I. and the record labels were then added to the suit. The judge also denied the Gaye family’s request that the song be removed from distribution outlets…BUT, he did award then an ongoing royalty rate of a whopping 50% of songwriter and publishing revenues. Upon the last ruling, which included a judge dismissing the group’s appeal for a retrial, Pharrell‘s lawyer revealed plans for “exercising our further remedies and ultimately achieving clarity on the difference between inspiration and copyright infringement.” It looks like they have gone ahead with that.


Pay Up: Marvin Gaye’s Son Owes Over $60K+ In Back Child Support!

It looks like we can add Marvin Gaye’s son to the list of celebs who are horrible with paying child support. Marvin Gaye III and his siblings have been awarded $7.4 million after winning the “Blurred Lines” case against Robin Thicke & Co. but it looks like most of that won’t even be going into his bank account.


Case Closed! Judge Denies “Blurred Lines” Retrial Request

Back in March, Marvin Gaye’s estate was awarded $7.4 million in their lawsuit against “Blurred Lines” creators Robin Thicke and Pharrell for its illegal sampling of Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up.” Since then, both Thicke and Pharrell had their lawyers put in a request for a retrial, on grounds that there were flaws all throughout the trial, from jury instructions, to improper testimony from a musicologist, lack of evidence to support a finding that the two songs were substantially similar and more. Unfortunately, a judge has denied the request. However, there is some silver lining here. U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt ruled has reduced the required payout from $7.4 million to $5.3 million, which is better for all parties. There’s a bad part here too, though. They’ve now decided to hold T.I. and the record labels responsible as well (as previously it was only Thicke and Pharrell who had to pay,) and now Tip will have to pay about $358k of the approximately $700,000 he’s earned from the song. The judge also denied the Gaye family’s request that the song be removed from distribution outlets…BUT, he did award then an ongoing royalty rate of a whopping 50% of songwriter and publishing revenues. Statements from both Pharrell’s camp and the Gaye camp below. Let us know your thoughts!


DONE, NOT! Robin Thicke’s Attorneys Forced To File For Another “Blurred Lines” Trial

Just when you thought it was over, the mayhem continues. Another “Blurred Lines” trial could be on the way, at least requested. Robin Thicke and Pharrell, along with their attorneys, have decided to take their anger back to the courtroom. The judge’s previous decision to call their “Blurred Lines” collaboration, infringement of Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give it Up” is not sitting too well with them. The Hollywood Reporter reports that the there were flaws included in every part of their trial, including jury instructions, improper testimony from a musicologist – a testimony that Thicke and Pharrell says was “prejudicial and irrelevant” – as well as lack of evidence to support a finding that the two songs were substantially similar.


(Video) RZA Says Sampled Artists Should Get 50 Percent, At Most

Looks like the whole industry’s been weighing in on “Blurred Lines,” but RZA Says Sampled Artists Should Get 50 Percent, At Most. In fact, he recalls a sampling experience as a producer where he was forced to hand over 90% (daaaaamn) even though he did a lot of the leg work! Check the specs on why, how and what the legendary Abbott says is wrong with that!


Pharrell Williams Talks About ‘Blurred Lines’ Ruling & Says Verdict ‘Handicaps’ Artists!  

Pharrell Williams recently spoke about the ‘Blurred Lines’ ruling for the first time and says that the verdict ‘handicaps’ artists. Read more on the story below!


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