November 12, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

“Blurred Lines” music copyright update: jury deliberations continue

The panel began closed-door discussions Thursday near the end of the trial's seventh day, following two hours of closing arguments that offered vastly different views of the evidence.(Thinkstock)
The panel began closed-door discussions Thursday near the end of the trial’s seventh day, following two hours of closing arguments that offered vastly different views of the evidence.(Thinkstock)

Jury deliberations continued today in the trial of a Los Angeles music copyright infringement case in which the heirs of Motown great Marvin Gaye allege pop hit-makers Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke plagiarized parts of the 1977 “Got to Give It Up” in the creation of their worldwide hit “Blurred Lines.”

The panel began closed-door discussions Thursday near the end of the trial’s seventh day, following two hours of closing arguments that offered vastly different views of the evidence.

“This is the last place the Gaye family want to be,” attorney Richard Busch, representing the Gayes, told the eight-member civil jury as Williams and Thicke looked on.

“Marvin Gaye left his songs to his children,” he said. “They’re here protecting his legacy.”

The attorney argued that Williams and Thicke “created a song from ‘Got to Give It Up,’ and in doing so copied ‘Got to Give It Up.’ We’re asking justice for the Gaye family. Is there anything wrong with that?”

Opposing lawyer Howard King opened his final argument by telling jurors that his clients prohibited him “from saying anything negative about Marvin Gaye or his legacy.”

King said the lawsuit stems from a “mistake” by the late singer’s ex- wife, Jan Gaye, who compared the feel and ambience of the two recordings rather than the sheet music — which the judge ruled is the central issue in the case.

“Any of us are free to build on ‘Got to Give It Up’ — as long as we don’t copy the notes of ‘Got to Give It Up,”‘ the attorney said. “The Gaye family doesn’t own a genre or a groove.”

At the time the Gaye song was copyrighted in 1977, only written music — not sound recordings —  could be registered with the copyright office.

If the jury unanimously finds that it is “probably true” that “Blurred Lines” co-writers Thicke, Williams and rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris Jr. — and various entertainment companies involved in publishing, marketing and distributing the song — infringed the copyrighted Gaye “deposit copy,” damages must be decided. The result could be worth millions of dollars to heirs Nona and Frankie Gaye.

Thicke testified on the first day of trial last week, and Williams took the stand Wednesday to dispute allegations he knowingly lifted eight key elements of  the disco-tinged “Got to Give It Up” when he fashioned “Blurred Lines” over several days at a Burbank studio three years ago.

The federal lawsuit was originally brought two years ago by Thicke, Williams and Harris Jr. as a preemptive strike to protect “Blurred Lines’ from legal claims that it was derived from the decades-old Gaye hit.

The Gaye clan then filed counterclaims alleging that Thicke’s apparent fascination with their late father led to the misappropriation of his work in the creation of “Blurred Lines” and in the title track of Thicke’s 2011 “Love After War” album.

In his testimony, Williams said he has loved Gaye’s music since hearing Motown records around the house growing up.

“The last thing you want to do is take something of someone else’s when you love him,” Williams told the jury. “If I had, I would have dealt with it properly. It’s the fair and right and just thing to do.”

The 11-time Grammy Award winner was adamant that “Blurred Lines” and “Got to Give It Up” were similar only in terms of genre.

“Soul music sounds like soul music,” Williams said, adding that he understood why fans connected the two songs.

“I must’ve been channeling that late ’70s feeling,” Williams said, adding that the Gaye track “did not cross my mind” during the making of the Thicke hit.

The tracks share “feel — not infringement,” he testified.

Gaye’s family is seeking about $40 million in damages, a figure that includes the published earnings of “Blurred Lines” and a share of Thicke’s touring income.

Evidence shows that Thicke and Williams each earned more than $5 million from the success of “Blurred Lines,” while Harris — who got a co-writing credit due to his rap part added late in the recording — made more than $700,000.

The single, which cost nearly $6.9 million to produce and market, has reaped more than $16.5 million in profits since its release two years ago.

Although jurors have seen the “Blurred Lines” video and heard the song, they must consider only the chords, melodies and lyrics of the songs, rather than production elements of the recordings.

Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father in Los Angeles on April 1, 1984.

Related Posts

Metro’s New Bus Lane Camera Enforcement Aims to Speed Up Commutes for LA Riders

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Pilot Program Begins With 60-Day Warning Period to Clear Bus Lanes The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in...

Legendary Actor Tony Todd, Known for Iconic Horror Roles, Dies at the Age of 69

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Star of Candyman and Final Destination Remembered by Fans and Peers Iconic actor and Marina del Rey resident Tony Todd...

LAUSD Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault on a Minor, Police Believe There May Be Other Victims

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on November 8 that a middle school teacher, Colleen Jo Matarico, is...

Suspect Arrested, Another at Large After Culver City Vehicle Burglary

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Police Ask Public for Assistance to Aid the Investigation Early morning on November 7, Culver City Police responded to reports...

Beverly Hills High Limits Student Gatherings After Pro-Trump Rally Disrupts Campus

November 11, 2024

November 11, 2024

Principal Cites Safety Concerns Following Post-Election Demonstration Beverly Hills High School has put limits on student gatherings after a pro-Trump...

LAX Runway Closures in November May Lead to Increased Aircraft Noise for Nearby Residents

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Temporary Runway Shutdowns for Maintenance and Upgrades May Alter Flight Paths Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has announced temporary runway...

Racist Text Messages Target Students in Santa Monica, West LA, Raising Alarm Among Schools, Families

November 10, 2024

November 10, 2024

Outrage Spreads as Disturbing, Racially Charged Messages Reach Students and Others By Dolores Quintana Schools on the Westside of Los...

8 Things to Do in Big Bear Lake: A Local’s Guide to Adventure and Relaxation

November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024

Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is a true gem for nature lovers, families, and adventurers alike....

Governor Newsom Convenes Special Session to Protect California Rights Against Future Federal Policies

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Special Session Called To Defend Civil Rights, Reproductive Freedom, Climate Initiatives Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a special session of...

Megacity Review: Genaro Trejo’s Global Platform for Urban Arts and Literature Launches in Los Angeles’ Westside

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Santa Monica, CA – A new voice has arrived on the Los Angeles literary scene with the launch of Megacity...

Chinese Chemical Company and Executives Indicted for Allegedly Fueling Fentanyl Crisis in Los Angeles

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

U.S. DOJ Charges Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech and Executives With 13 Counts  A federal grand jury has indicted Hubei Aoks Bio-Tech...

Free Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Coming to Culver City on Nov. 12

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

Get Free Vaccine Shots for All Ages—No Appointment Needed Culver City, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Department of...

Starbucks Kicks Off the Holidays with Festive Cups, New Drinks, and a Special Surprise

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Returning Classics, Cran-Merry Refreshers, and Expanded Pastry Selections on Thursday Starbucks is ringing in the holiday season with the return...

Lei’d Cookies in Culver City Offers Sweet In-Store Discount For a Challenging Week

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Handcrafted Flavors, Community Spirit: Enjoy Lei’d Cookies’ Limited-Time Offer Lei’d Cookies, a popular dessert spot in Culver City’s Hayden Tract...

Thanksgiving 2024: The Best Places to Order Your Holiday Pies in Los Angeles

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Get Ready for Your Thanksgiving Dinner With the Best Desserts November is the official start of the holiday season and...