Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke must pay $5 million to Marvin Gayes family over Blurred Lines lawsuit
After a gruelling five-year battle, Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams have finally received a verdict in their Blurred Lines lawsuit.
The musicians, who released the chart-topping single in 2013 have been ordered to pay a hefty $5 million (£3.9 million) to Marvin Gayes family following a copyright dispute.
Its a case which has divided music fans and cast a light on how musicians take inspiration from other artists and sample work.
But the battle has come to an end with a California court ruling against an appeal previously filed by Pharrell, 45, and Robin, 41.
Robin, Pharrell and the music producers publishing company, More Water From Nazareth, are required to collectively pay damages of $2.8 million. Additionally, Robin is required to pay $1.7 million while Pharrell and his publishing company must fork out an extra $357,630.
The buck doesnt stop there as Marvins family are now entitled to 50% of all future royalties notched up by Blurred Lines, which is one of the biggest-selling songs this decade. They are also expected to receive prejudgement interest on the damages.
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In total, Robin and Pharrell must pay $4.98 million which is still a small portion of the total $16 million the collaborators are estimated to have earned from the song to date.
Marvins estate initially sued Pharrell and Robin not long after the songs release and claimed the pair had copied the late singers 1977 single Got To Give It Up.
Over the past five years, the Blurred Lines lawsuit has offered some surprises to say the least.
More: Pharrell Williams
In 2015, a transcript of Robins deposition was released and featured the singer admitting to be high and drunk in every interview he did the year Blurred Lines was released. When asked if he considered himself to be an honest person, Robin simply replied: No.
Undoubtedly as a result of the Blurred Lines case, several other high-profile musicians have found themselves at the centre of a lawsuit. Ed Sheeran is accused of copying Marvin Gayes classic song Lets Get It On with his 2014 ballad Thinking Out Loud, while Led Zeppelin are still locked in a legal copyright battle over their anthem Stairway To Heaven.
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