Robin Thicke and Pharrell to pay £4.8m in Blurred Lines case

Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams have been ordered to pay $7.3m (£4.8m) to the estate of Marvin Gaye in the ‘Blurred Lines’ copyright infringement case.

Rapper, TI, was originally named in the suit along with Thicke and Williams, but is not responsible financially for part of the judgment.

A long legal battle over similarities between ‘Blurred Lines’ and the Gaye song ‘Got to Give It Up’ intensified in 2013 when Thicke filed suit against them over allegations of copyright infringement.

Gaye’s estate filed their own lawsuit in California in response, with the trial being held over the last few weeks.

Court proceedings disclosed that Thicke and Williams each made $5 million from ‘Blurred Lines’.

A representative for Williams said in a statement to Rolling Stone: “While we respect the judicial process, we are extremely disappointed in the ruling made today, which sets a horrible precedent for music and creativity.

“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.”

Williams had insisted on the witness stand that ‘Blurred Lines’ was inspired by Miley Cyrus rather than Gaye, while Thicke performed a piano medley in court in an attempt to back up his claim that his hit did not directly copy ‘Got to Give It Up’.