Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke Head to Court over Marvin Gaye Copyright-Infringement Claims
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Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams are in court to face the family of Marvin Gaye.
Thicke, Williams and Clifford Harris Jr. (aka, T.I.) defended themselves in a lawsuit filed in 2013 against accusations made by Gaye’s loved ones that the singers stole parts of the 1977 Gaye song, “Got to Give It Up,” for their hit, “Blurred Lines.”
However, in October, a judge sided with the Gaye family, ruling that their musicological experts had given enough evidence to allow it to go to trial.
Thicke and Williams are expected to take the stand in the two-week trial, during which a jury of five women and three men will listen to the composition and melody of “Got to Give It Up” to determine if there was a copyright infringement. The trial began Tuesday and continues Wednesday.
They’ll also watch past interviews that Thicke gave, including one with VH1 in which he admitted that “Got to Give It Up” was one of his favorite songs of all time. However, he has since said that he lied during that interview, and wasn’t in his right mind when it was conducted.
Some experts believe that this case could have a resounding effect throughout the music industry.
“Artists have drawn upon the inspiration for their songs, listening to other songs,” legal expert Alison Triessl told Good Morning America. “They may not be able to do that anymore.”
Lawyers for both parties would not comment.
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