''Blurred Lines'' Verdict: Robin Thicke & Pharrell's Song Did Infringe on Marvin Gaye Classic, Jury Awards Millions in Damages

A verdict has been reached in the lawsuit surrounding Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams' "Blurred Lines" single.

A Los Angeles jury found the singers' hit song did infringe on Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" and "Sexy Ways" by Funkadelic. The jury also awarded Gaye $4 million in damages, plus profits that Thicke and Williams made from the song, for a grand total of $7.4 million. 

In his preemptive lawsuit, Thicke was not seeking any money other than attorney fees when he filed last August. Instead, he simply wanted a declaration that "Blurred Lines" did not infringe on either of the classic songs and that the Gaye family does not have grounds to file suit against him.

Two months later, however, Gaye's children sued Thicke, Williams and fellow producer Clifford Harris Jr., alleging that their superlatively popular summer jam wrongfully borrowed from their father's song. 

"I am filled with so much emotions right now. It is a miracle," Nona Gaye told reporters after the verdict. "I believe my father was here. He has been gone for 30 years. There was nothing else to do when this happened but stand up for him. When it's not right, it's not right." 

Attorney Howard King, who helped represent Thicke and Williams, said the verdict left him "disappointed."  "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," he shared Tuesday afternoon. "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."

The ruling comes after Thicke was forced to take the stand in the courtroom where he sang, dance and played the piano during his testimony.

In front of the jury, Thicke performed a medley of songs including U2's "With Or Without You," The Beatles' "Let It Be," Alphaville's "Forever Young," Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" and Michael Jackson's "Man In the Mirror" in hopes that he could demonstrate that many pop tunes share the same chord progression.

He also confessed that he falsely told the media that he was the mastermind behind the track that was played on radios throughout the country. "The biggest hit of my career was written by somebody else," he told the court when giving credit to Williams. "I was jealous and wanted credit." 

Gaye's son, Marvin Gaye III, who filed a lawsuit along with siblings Nona and Frankie, recently told E! News that he was "not surprised at all" by Thicke, Williams and Harris' preemptive suit.

"There is no artist like my dad was. Because of him, he's made it possible for a lot of people to make music. Credit needs to be given where credit is due," he said to E! News. "The lack of respect for the Marvin Gaye name is something people think they can get away with. By them suing us, they want us to bow down and give them what they want."

Funkadelic's former lead singer, however, appeared to be on Thicke's side.

"No sample of #Funkadelic's 'Sexy Ways' in @RobinThicke's 'Blurred Lines' - yet Armen Boladian thinks so? We support @RobinThicke @Pharrell!" George Clinton tweeted.


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