Jury says Pharrell, Robin Thicke copied 'Blurred Lines' from Marvin Gaye song, award $7.3 million in damages

A contentious copyright trial over the inescapable 2013 hit "Blurred Lines" has finally come to an end. Pharrell and Robin Thicke have been ordered to pay $7.3 million in damages to the Gaye estate over similarities between "Blurred Lines" and Marvin Gaye's 1977 hit "Got to Give It Up."

The Hollywood Reporter has a full breakdown of the damages, which include $4 million in copyright infringement, as well as profits attributed to that infringement: $1.8 million from Thicke, and $1.4 million from Pharrell. "Blurred Lines" itself made roughly $16.7 million.

The legal decision has been made — but as the case will undoubtedly continue indefinitely in the court of public opinion, listen to the mash-up below and form your own opinion about the similarities between the songs. —Scott Meslow

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up