Friday, October 4, 2024

Robin Thicke: No New Trial on “Blurred Lines,” It’s Still Marvin Gaye’s Song

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Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and co. wanted a new trial over the “Blurred Lines” fiasco. But a judge has ruled that’s not happening. “Blurred Lines” remains plagiarized from Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” Judge John A. Kronstadt of US District Court, Central California did lower the financial damages, however. Pharrell’s exposure has been downsized from $1,610,455.31 to $357,630.96.

Robin Thicke still got to give it up.

“Blurred Lines” will continue to be played on the radio and sold as a recording, but now the Gayes get “ongoing royalties.”

What a mistake it was to take this to trial. Since this happened, Thicke and his lawyers have learned their lesson. For his new single, Thicke gave equal songwriting credit to the late great Barry White because the song “Morning Sun” is underpinned by White’s trademark orchestration. It was easier than having a new, even more embarrassing trial.

New songs often infringe old ones, and then the parties usually come to an offstage agreement. For example, “The Greatest Love of All” borrowed elements from Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind.” There was a private settlement. Same with Mariah Carey’s “Emotions,” which was a re-do of The Emotions’ “Best of My Love,” by Maurice White.

 

 

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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