In a copyright infringement verdict that has shocked the music industry and raised grave concerns among songwriters, a U.S. District Court jury in Los Angeles awarded Marvin Gaye’s estate just under $7.4 million against recording artists Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams, the songwriters of the 2013 mega-hit, “Blurred Lines.” After hearing testimony from collaborators Thicke and Williams, as well as from musicologists who dissected and compared the songs, the jury found that “Blurred Lines” infringed the copyright of Marvin Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up.” According to news reports, the verdict corresponded to about one dollar for every copy of the song sold, with the song yielding about $16 million in profits. Gaye’s estate was awarded $4 million in damages, as well as profits of about $1.6 million from Williams and about $1.76 million from Thicke. Statutory damages of $9,375 were also awarded. The jury did not assess any fault or damages against the record company that released “Blurred Lines” or rapper T.I., who also performed in the song.
