Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke Hit With $7.4 Million Fine in ‘Blurred Lines’ Copyright Case
A Los Angeles jury on Tuesday determined that Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke had copied several elements from Marvin Gaye's 1977 song "Got to Give It Up" in making their 2013 hit "Blurred Lines."
From left, artists Robin Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell Williams appear with models in this still from the "Blurred Lines" video. (Vevo)
A Los Angeles jury on Tuesday determined that Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke had copied several elements from Marvin Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up” in making their 2013 hit “Blurred Lines.” Unless they successfully appeal the verdict, the latest in a series of legal volleys between the two parties, Williams and Thicke will have to pay Gaye’s children $7.4 million.
“Blurred Lines” had already caused plenty of controversy, with some critics dubbing it a “rape song,” and others finding the music video — featuring nearly naked female models dancing with Williams, Thicke and guest rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris Jr. — to be an especially flagrant example of objectification.
As Bob Stanley, a music journalist and member of the band St. Etienne, noted Wednesday in The Guardian, the case itself could set a new and troubling precedent for future songs:
Just how dangerous could this ruling prove? Williams and Robin Thicke haven’t been accused of sampling, stealing lyrics or melodies here, just the “feel” of Marvin Gaye’s Got To Give It Up. Let’s take a look back at beat groups of the mid-60s (their hair, their suits), and listen to their harmonies. Whether it’s the Hollies in Britain, the Byrds in America, or regional heroes like Sweden’s Hep Stars, they all borrowed the “feel” of the Beatles. The Hep Stars featured a young Benny Andersson — could the Beatles also, by default, sue for a share of Abba’s royalties?
How far can you take this illegal “feel” borrowing? The entire New Romantic scene looked to David Bowie and Roxy Music for lyrical and sartorial feel, and to Kraftwerk for a futuristic drive. Bowie had his own way of dealing with this, and threw it back at his acolytes — he wrote the bulk of his Scary Monsters album about the younger generation borrowing his moves. He was smart enough to even include one arch-fan, Steve Strange, in the video for Ashes To Ashes. Given the new “feel” ruling, he could presumably now sue Strange, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Japan, Spandau Ballet, Suede — the list goes on.
Rolling Stone has chronicled how the court battle between Gaye’s family and the “Blurred Lines” performers has unfolded.
Compare the two songs below, starting with Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up”:
And here’s “Blurred Lines”:
— Posted by Donald Kaufman.
Wait, before you go…If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig
In a wide-ranging, unfiltered interview with Vulture, the music legend discusses his relationships with the Clintons and the Trumps and more.
More than 1,057,000 people have been killed by gun violence in the U.S. since the former Beatle was shot to death, according to the text above a picture that his widow tweeted.
"The John Lennon Letters" collects and reproduces 285 postcards, telegrams, to-do lists and other writings from the former Beatle’s early childhood to Dec. 8, 1980, hours before he was killed.
Many would consider being knighted or otherwise honored by England’s royals a dream come true. But more than 200 rebellious Brits have declined or returned the honor, refusing to hand their names and legacies over to rulers seeking to bolster their own dubious reputations. John Lennon and authors Roald Dahl and C.S. Lewis are on that list.
British artist Richard Hamilton, whose work was highly critical of consumerism and politics, died Tuesday at 89 while preparing a retrospective of his art. Among his many achievements, Hamilton designed the minimalist white cover for the Beatles album that bears no name.
Handily aligning with the unleashing of The Beatles' music into the iTunes computerverse, as well as with the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death, Rolling Stone magazine has published heretofore unreleased portions of the slain Beatle's final interview (continued).
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.