Robin Thicke and Pharrell denied retrial in ‘Blurred Lines’ case

Musicians have also had cost of damages reduced by £1m

A judge has rejected Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams‘ appeal for a retrial following the ruling that the pair had plagiarised Marvin Gaye while writing their hit ‘Blurred Lines’.

In March, a US jury decided that the 2013 song had copied Gaye’s 1977 single ‘Got To Give It Up’, pointing out the “intrinsic similarity of the works”.

Two months later in May, the pair’s lawyers sought for a new trial. Thicke and Williams’ legal teams submitted a new motion, citing alleged errors in jury instructions, improper testimony from a musicologist and insufficient evidence to support the initial ruling.

Advertisement

Now, however, a US judge has denied their bid. District Judge John Kronstadt sided with Gaye’s family, also declaring that rapper TI, who also appears in the song, should be liable to pay damages too.

Despite the dismissal of a retrial, the Gaye family’s request to halt distribution of the song was denied and the amount of compensation awarded had been reduced from $7.4 million (£4.7m) to $5.3 million (£3.4m).

NMEGetty

It is thought that Pharrell and Thicke have earned over $5m (£3m) each from the profits of the Grammy-winning single. Total profits from the single are estimated to exceed $16m (£10.8), and it has sold well over one million copies in the UK.

Williams’ lawyer Howard King has reiterated his client’s intention to appeal, saying: “We look forward to exercising our further remedies and ultimately achieving clarity on the difference between inspiration and copyright infringement”.

Speaking after the original verdict in March, attorney said the pair “owe it to songwriters around the world” to appeal the decision.

A comparison of ‘Blurred Lines’ and ‘Got To Give It Up’ can be heard below.

Advertisement

SEE ALSO: The Marvin Gaye V Robin Thicke ‘Blurred Lines’ Verdict Is An Assault Upon Creative People Everywhere

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories