A Los Angeles jury has awarded Marvin Gaye’s children nearly $7.4 million after determining Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams noticeably ripped off their father’s music to create the 2013 smash hit “Blurred Lines.”
“Right now, I feel free,” said Marvin Gaye’s daughter Nona Gaye after the verdict, the Associated Press reported. “Free from … Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke’s chains and what they tried to keep on us and the lies that were told.”
“I’m really grateful,” said Gaye’s former wife and Nona’s mother, Janis Gaye. “I hope people understand that this means Marvin deserves credit for what he did back in 1977.”
Mr. Williams, Mr. Thicke and T.I., who was named in the lawsuit but not found liable by the jury, issued a joint statement after the verdict: “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,” the statement said, Rolling Stone reported. “We are reviewing the decision, considering our options and you will hear more from us soon about this matter.”
The Gayes had argued that Mr. Williams and Mr. Thicke outright copied the R&B legend’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up.” They had originally sought $25 million in damages.
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The family’s attorney, Richard Busch, will also seek to halt sales of “Blurred Lines,” which he plans to file official paperwork for by next week, Variety reported.
Mr. Thicke told jurors he didn’t write “Blurred Lines,” and was high on alcohol and Vicodin during its recording. Mr. Williams testified that he co-wrote the song with Mr. Thicke in about an hour in mid-2012. He told jurors that Gaye’s music was part of his growing up, but denied using any of it to create “Blurred Lines,” AP reported.
An attorney for the songwriters has said a decision in favor of Gaye’s family could have a chilling effect on the music industry and artists who try to emulate another’s sound, AP reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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