Stars to appeal 'Blurred Lines' trial verdict

jonathan

March 12, 2015 11:27 AM

Speaking to Fox Business after the verdict was delivered, Thicke and Pharrell's attorney Howard E. King said that an appeal would follow as they "owe it to songwriters around the world."

Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams will appeal the decision to award the family of Marvin Gaye millions of dollars after it was judged their song 'Blurred Lines' ripped off a Gaye song from the 1970s.

As reported, a US jury decided on Tuesday that 2013 hit 'Blurred Lines' copied Marvin Gaye's 1977 single 'Got To Give It Up'. The pair must pay $7.3m (£4.8m) to Gaye's family following the ruling at the US District Court in Los Angeles. The lawsuit was brought by Gaye's children Nona, Frankie and Marvin Gaye III, who inherited the copyright to the soul legend's music following his death in 1984. Speaking to Fox Business after the verdict was delivered, Thicke and Pharrell's attorney Howard E. King said that an appeal would follow as they "owe it to songwriters around the world.""We owe it to songwriters around the world to make sure this verdict doesn’t stand," King said. "We are going to exercise every post-trial remedy we have to make sure this verdict does not stand. ... Just because eight people think two songs are similar doesn't mean they are. I think this is a horrible decision that is going to affect whether or not record labels provide the necessary funds for new music to be created."

It is thought that Pharrell and Thicke have earned over $5m (£3m) each from the profits of the Grammy-winning single. Total profits from the single are estimated to exceed $16m (£10.8), and it has sold well over 1million copies in the UK, taking the title of 2013's biggest selling single. A comparison of 'Blurred Lines' and 'Got To Give It Up' can be heard below.

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jonathan