Jury Says Robin Thicke and Pharrell Copied Marvin Gaye in Hit Song ‘Blurred Lines’

Jamie McCarthy—2014 Getty Images Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke perform during the Walmart 2014 annual shareholders meeting on June 6, 2014 at Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

$7.3 million awarded to the Gaye family

A jury said Tuesday that Robin Thicke and Pharrell copied a 1977 Marvin Gaye song in recording their 2013 hit “Blurred Lines.”

The decision awards $7.3 million to the Gaye family, who accused Thicke and Pharrell of infringing the copyright of Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” the Associated Press reported. The “Blurred Lines” duo have denied copying the late Motown singer’s tune, though Pharrell acknowledged the similarity of the two songs during his testimony this week.

“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,” a spokesperson for Pharrell told Rolling Stone. “Pharrell created ‘Blurred Lines’ from his heart, mind and soul and the song was not taken from anyone or anywhere else. We are reviewing the decision, considering our options and you will hear more from us soon about this matter.”

“Blurred Lines” was the No. 1 song on Billboard’s 2013 year-end U.S. pop songs chart.