‘Blurred Lines’ Updates: Judge Reduces Pharrell Williams/Robin Thicke Verdict By $2 Million

Published: Friday 17th Jul 2015 by Rashad
robin-thicke-pharrell-thatgrapejuice

‘Get Her Back’ beau Robin Thicke seems to take two steps back for every step he takes forward regarding the highly publicized case surrounding his career-defining hit ‘Blurred Lines.’

As fans know, he – alongside ‘Lines’ co-stars Pharrell Williams, T.I., and their label Universal Music – were sued by the family of late Motown legend Marvin Gaye for the song’s similarity to his 1977 hit ‘Got To Give It Up.’ The result?  A whopping $7.4 million dollar decision in favor of the family.

In response to the unfavorable verdict, Williams was hung out to dry as Thicke, Universal Music, and T.I. tried to downplay their involvement in the song’s creation – despite all receiving royalties.  Much to the singer and his label’s dismay, only T.I. was able to successfully escape the copyright infringement claim…initially.

The week week brought with it fresh updates surrounding the case that will give the song’s producer, ‘Happy’ hitmaker Williams, a new reason to smile.  T.I. and Universal Music, on the other hand, probably won’t be.

Details below:


Updates on ‘Blurred Lines’ case (source):

  • $7.4 million payout decreased to $5.3 million
    • In exchange the family will get 50% of the song’s future earnings and royalties
  • Judge John A. Kronstadt rejected family’s request to block sales and performances of the song
  • Judge Kronstadt also rejected motion for new trial
  • Lastly, Judge Kronstadt concluded that both T.I. and Universal Music should be held liable for their involvement in the song’s creation and promotion

*****

While the lawyer for the family is “reviewing the legality of the court’s decision to cut the damages award,” Williams & Thicke’s rep – Attorney Howard King – has vowed the “fight is far from over.”

Your thoughts?

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  1. Chaelin Lee PKA CL is coming | 재 이현 김 July 17, 2015

    Robin Thicke and TI are bae. Not here for FeralCat

  2. Lana Del Fan *HONEYMOON COMING SOON* July 17, 2015

    TI shouldn’t be involved. He didn’t produce the song. Smh

  3. Xtina = The voice of this generation July 17, 2015

    I hate this song anyways.

  4. Stephy. July 17, 2015

    Pharrell is STILL winning! He had the top selling songs (as a producer/contributing artist) of 2013 & 2014. Amazing.
    Black Inspired Music has been the top selling singles of the past 3 years:

    1.) Blurred Lines – 2013
    2.) Happy – 2014
    3.) Uptown Funk – 2015

    • Lmfao_Hoe July 17, 2015

      He didn’t produce Uptown Funk

      • Stephy. July 17, 2015

        Did I say he did. READ correctly h**.

  5. Grande the Way July 17, 2015

    I don’t think TI should be sued when he just laid down some bars. I’m glad the amount got reduced, the Gaye family is greedy

    • Stephy. July 17, 2015

      VERY! They act like Mavin created that sound. When in reality. The damn song could’ve fit perfectly on MJ’s Off The Wall album too. Same with Uptown Funk.

      • Lmfao_Hoe July 17, 2015

        This was not the Gayes fault, all they asked was that they paid proper homage that BL sounds like Got To Give It Up. Pharrell n Thicke were the ones who brought them to court and it backfired on themselves. In other words don’t do people evil just cause they were letting everyone know truth behind the creation (inspiration) of the song (while denying it. )

  6. Lmfao_Hoe July 17, 2015

    Also I can see where some ppl are coming from, because when I hear Uptown Funk. I swear i hear MJ, Prince, James Brown and other funk artists of the old days.

  7. Lmfao_Hoe July 17, 2015

    This was not the Gayes fault, all they asked was that they paid proper homage that BL sounds like Got To Give It Up. Pharrell n Thicke were the ones who brought them to court and it backfired on themselves. In other words don’t do people evil just cause they were letting everyone know truth behind the creation (inspiration) of the song (while denying it. )

  8. OMG Logic!!! July 17, 2015

    They were so damn thirsty that they sued the original and now they’ve got pie on their face. Serves them right.

  9. Barb-wire July 17, 2015

    Thicke deserves getting his ass sued for thieving, he probably thought he’d get away with it too. Gaye family collect them Marvin coins.

    • OMG Logic!!! July 17, 2015

      He didn’t just steal he sued the Marvin family first!

  10. Casual-T July 17, 2015

    How this will end: Lawyers will get all of the royalties and then some.

  11. Casual-T July 17, 2015

    Lawyers for Pharrell and Robin Thicke were too clever by half and played this wrong from the beginning. The pre-emptive lawsuit pretty much established that the writers and producers were at least acknowledging similarities between Blurred Lines and Got to Give It Up, and since it was actually brought before a court, the Gaye estate had no reason not to counter-sue as they had to respond to the suit anyway. They were probably surprised when they ended up winning. The percussion on the songs is stylistically similar, but Blurred Lines didn’t use an actual sample of Got to Give It Up. So, I think that when all is said and done — and after all of the lawyers have gotten all of the royalties — Pharrell, Thicke, and T.I. will prevail. If both parties were smart, they’d settle and at least salvage those coins before they evaporate in legal fees. The problem is, it’s not in the interest of the lawyers to settle, b/c as long as this goes on, they get money.

  12. Mark111 July 17, 2015

    Ed Sheeran is laughing his b*** off.

  13. Rosie July 17, 2015

    A mess.

    Anyways HDD says Future will debut at #1 with 70-75K???? Not 4x more than Ciara????
    I wonder how much Tame Impala will sell.

  14. Rhiannon Fenty July 18, 2015

    This reminds me of when Sugar Hill Gang ripped off Chic’s Good Times

  15. Aj July 18, 2015

    Blurred Lines is clearly a recreation of that Marvin Gaye song. It’s blatantly obvious both in audio terms and written music terms. Pharrell should have just settled out of court by crediting a sample etc. Part of the issue I suspect is that the Gaye family don’t won’t to be associated with a tacky song that has been linked to r*** and ‘lad’ish behaviour.

  16. Career Ender July 18, 2015

    this OMG logic høe needs a proper dragging
    .
    I know how to put Moo’s fans in their place, you always spewing hate
    .
    after I destroyed that bill cosby fan im coming for you
    .
    Mark111 will be next

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