August 16th, 2013
12:30 PM ET
Robin Thicke, Pharell and T.I. sue over 'Blurred Lines'Robin Thicke is reportedly being proactive in protecting his hit "Blurred Lines." According to The Hollywood Reporter, a lawsuit was filed in California federal court Thursday by Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and Clifford Harris, Jr. (the legal name of rapper T.I.) against the family of the late singer Marvin Gaye and Bridgeport Music, which owns some of the music of the group Funkadelic. The three men are battling back against complaints that "Blurred Lines" bears similarities to Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" and Funakedlic's "Sexy Ways." "Plaintiffs, who have the utmost respect for and admiration of Marvin Gaye, Funkadelic and their musical legacies, reluctantly file this action in the face of multiple adverse claims from alleged successors in interest to those artists," the suit says. "Defendants continue to insist that plaintiffs' massively successful composition, 'Blurred Lines,' copies 'their' compositions." THR notes that the Gaye family and Bridgeport Music were said to have threatened legal action unless a monetary settlement was reached in the disagreement and Thicke, Williams and Harris would like a court to rule that the "Gayes do not have an interest in the copyright to the composition 'Got To Give It Up' sufficient to confer standing on them to pursue claims of infringement of that composition." Rather than infringing on the copyright of the original tunes, the trio's suit says that being "reminiscent of a 'sound' is not copyright infringement." Funkedelic front man George Clinton apparently agrees and tweeted his support of Thicke and the gang on Thursday. You can read a copy of the lawsuit here. So what do you think? Is "Blurred Lines" paying homage, or too close to the originals? |
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I'm sure the families were parasites when Marvin was alive, and continue to suckle at the breast of fame. Get over it, leeches, every music is derivative at some point. There are no copyright infringements here. If influences were a basis for litigation, Chuck Berry would be a helluva lot richer today.
I wonder if any of these folks have heard of rap music. The whole industry is based on samples.
and that's what she is...she has nothing too offer but urban dictionary and her garbage....
It sounds like a mix of so many songs. I always think of "You've Got The Look"/Prince & Sheena Easton. Little bit o' Michael J in there too.
And Robin? "Hug Me" and that other word don't rhyme, btw.
Hug me, Plug Me? Is that the lyrics?
THANKS
Is your username referring to a power tool, a network device, or are you just misspelling Reuters?
Who did Marvin Gaye steal it from?
Thicke, Pharrell and T.I. didn't actually sample Got to Give it Up. The timbre of the percussion is similar (especially the cowbell) but the part is different – Gaye's has mostly straight eighth notes, with an occasional 16th note tossed in, and Thicke's has two upbeat sixteenths (ie. one it IS A two it IS A, with the notes being played on the "IS A"). The closest to copying (but not sampled) is the organ part – it is an upbeat close voiced chord. However, the key is a full step higher in Got to Give it Up, and the part is played with a dominant 7th in the bass note. Thicke's interval is just a major third, with no dominant seventh. The recording quality of Thicke's version is MUCH cleaner, as Gaye's has a bunch of background chatter, with a talked-over party atmosphere. The timbre of the bass and the bass part and chord changes are entirely different.
Is it inspired? Sure. Is it a copy? Well, there's no sample of the Gaye song, and there's no lyrics from the Gaye song. It's derivative, but it's not copywriter infringement.
That Marvin Gaye sample is so blatant. Who the heck are Thicke and company kidding???
There is NO Marvin Gaye sample on Blurred Lines. Do you even know what a sample IS???
If that were the case everybody would get sued, everybody who ever wrote and performed a hit of any kind. Everything is based on something, even Jazz and the Blues are based on other music forms and take from each other. there are similarities but I don't see exact ones, they are minor and not enough, not what Led Zeppelin did years ago.
Sure, there are MINOR similarities with SOME of the music but not enough to say it's close to "Blurred Lines". Actually, the Gaye family may have a better case suing KC and The Sunshine Band.
terminated
thanks
Oddly enough the lawsuit does not say the song is not a copy of 'Got To Give It Up' but the Gaye family does not own enough of the copyright to allow them to sue.
I thought Blurred Lines was a sampled remix of "Got to Give It Up" from the very first time I heard it
Too many kids of stars trying to cash in on their parents success. And no I'm not talking about Thicke. Marvin would roll over if he saw how greedy his family has been.
not at all.
Ok No!....Listened to the songs and their claim is ridculous!!!!!! Sounds like someone is deperate for money!
And vanilla ice did not steal the beat from the song under pressure..... uh huh..
Isn't this the same reason Ray Parker Jr. was sued and lost for his Ghost Busters song. It sounded too much like a Huey Lewis and the news song.
Vanilla Ice never said he didn't use "Under Pressure"...he sampled it and gave credit. "Blurred Lines" doesn't contain a sample from any of the plaintiff's music, nor enough notes to support a copyright complaint. Your comment is just as clueless as Trayvon Martin's parents campaigning against "Stand Your Ground" laws. Neither case applies. However, in both cases the whiners are looking for publicity.
When i first listened to this song, I immediately thought that it sampled Marvin Gaye's Got to Give it Up. It's cool to sample but don't be another Vanilla Ice and not give credit.
Yes, I see. If a white singer does it, it's "stealing". If a black rapper does it, it's "sampling". Uh-huh.
Lydia,
Not sure what type of lawyer you are .But i studied Music Law.
You CAN NOT sample "large parts of others music" without payment or points given.
This is a Marvin Gaye "Ripoff/Inspired song"
Sounds like Madonnas "Give it to me"..Both produced by Pharrell...Both Marvin Gaye tunes
My understanding is that there aren't any actual samples, but that the new song is "reminiscent" of the old one. No sample and no lyrics means no infringement. Even if the percussion is the exactly the same (and I'm not sure it is), you can't copyright percussion, because of the limited number of variations.
Once again it appears that only people that are going win are the lawyers. A few similar "runs" and/or "riffs" in the songs does not make it a "rip off". Even George Clinton, former Funkadelic member, says so.
you heard what we were doing...why would i talk about baiting when we knew you were there? why?
cuz we got da hack
seriously.... u can not find something really interested...!!! siempre andan con mamadas hablando de africanos indues
Who the heck are these people? They probably didn't even write any of that stuff. That's why they are entertainers and not musicians. Duh!
Robin Thicke and Pharrel Williams are both accomplished song writers and producers. Fumble by Grego!
Didn't anyone pay attention to the article, Marvin Gaye's Familiy, and the record label of the Funkadelics were seeking monetary compensation for the resemblance of the song to theirs. Robin Thicke is suing so he doesn't have to give them a cut. This is only a response to the threat of legal action from the family and record label. It's not a cruel act from Thicke. Also though the song may share some resemblance,it is original and not that similar in my opinion.
I listened to both the Marvin Gaye and funkadelic songs. I don't see any connection with funkadelic. BUT the Marvin Gaye song has clearly been at least inspiration. The drum, percussion and bass line is almost exact. I could see a judge deciding in favor of the Gaye copyright owners
Marvin Gaye's family initiated the suit. Robin & Co filed a counter-suit in response which is what some people do when they are being sued.
What kind of low life rips off a classic artists sound and then sues he's remaining relatives afterwards? Mr Gaye is a legend and is no longer with us. Mr Thicke is a one hit wonder who just wants to capitalize as much as possible on this moment. A real shame that most young people will take sides with the talentless Thicke over the legendary Gaye. At least Gaye had his OWN sound and didn't need to rip off/sue others.
@M.A.P.: Gaye was murdered by his now-dead father thirty years ago, so which of his relatives do you think are still "morning"? (Learn to spell. Nobody takes seriously anyone who can't spell simple words.)
Don't know where you've been for the last 8-10 years, but Robin Thicke is an R&B legend. Definitely not a one-hit-wonder.
is the rest of his cast of bimbos that suck....daz why he not boff her
Robin Thicke is most definitely not a one-hit-wonder and the fact that Pharell decided to use a similar percussion set to Marvin Gaye's out-dated hit does not make it a "rip-off". Lets let artists be artists and not act appalled when they make music we don't like.
People are soo greedy these days do anything for a quick dollar. I hope #Team Thicke wins!!!
You missread the article – Mr Thicke is suing the late Marvin Gaye's remaining family because they said he ripped off the sound from Gayes earlier work (which he did). I hope Mr Thicke ends up in jail over this.
The song is a total Marvin Gaye rip off. I hope Robin Thicke is sued into bankrupcy and then some.
Listened to all songs and while voices etc sound on a similar theme there is no way this blurred lines has been taken from any of these songs.
Does not remind me of Marvin Gaye and the high pitch sound of funckadelics either.. for that matter these two could sue the BG's, Prince, Justin Timberlake and who else? tSad that jealousy has caused the courts to be used for this insane effort instead of to protect us from real crime.. "Blurred Lines" does not sound like either one of these two songs.
After hearing it the first time I kept trying to figure out what song it reminded me of .....ding, ding, ding.....Got To Give It Up... No doubt.
This song is hot!
when I heard the song the first thing I thought about was Marvin Gaye
I can hear "Got To Give It Up",and the snippet of descending bass/song before the chorus in Lipps Inc. "Funkytown" myself.
As a RobinThicke fan for years.... Didn't any concern or complaints until "blurred Lines" became a worldwide number one hit.... Nothing but greed . As great as the one and only Marvin Gaye was... I don't think he ever had a hit as big like "blurred Lines." GO ROBIN, T.I. AND PHARRELL. YOU HAVE GOT THE WORLD DANCING
Um, Marvin Gaye never had a hit as big as this song? What's Goin On, Mercy Me, Let's Get it On, and the song that is being mentioned here were ALL hits....
Indupitably, sir.
........"as great as the one and only Marvin Gaye was... I don't think he ever had a hit as big like "blurred Lines."
SERIOUSLY??? Um, everything Marvin Gaye did was a huge hit. Do some research before making yourself look like a moron. Omg, how embarrassing for you.
Ugh! Keep your revolting taste in music to yourself. He has DIRECTLY ripped off Marvin Gaye to make a fil-thy sle-azy song about taking advantage of women. He should be spat on for his disgusting lyrics and video. He is an absolute pathetic human being who deserves no respect.
Marvin Gaye had many number one songs that topped the R&B charts. Blurred Lines is topping many charts including the R&B charts. I don't think that Marvin Gaye had that kind of cross over success. There are not many clubs and radio stations currently not playing Blurred Lines. That's taking nothing away from Marvin Gaye and his music. It's just a different time and this song has a larger audience.
Janie, if everyone is jumping off a bridge, does that mean you should? What's popular isn't always good, and what's good isn't always popular.
what is good is popular that is why they are in demand.
Sharknado was popular and got lots of ratings, so according to your 'logic,' that was a good show?
I watched the uncensored version of "Blurred Lines" the other day, and the only part about it I liked was the sign that said Robin Thicke Has A Big D!ck.
That got me reallly excited.
He does?! Thanks for letting me know!! It's already my favorite song!! Now I'll have to watch the video too, and especially Robin!!
Check picture above – no bulge in those trousers – no biggy.
I can hear Got to Give it Up riffs playing as the base of this song. But how much snippet is too much is always tricky. Although I can say when I hear Blurred Lines I don't think of Marvin Gaye though.
Everyone can debate this all they want, but as a lawyer, I can tell you Thicke will win this hands down, people have been sampling songs for years, the Supreme Court has already ruled that is perfectly acceptable as art is always taken form other's art and will continue to do so. Artists can and do sample large parts of other songs and this is perfectly acceptable....I'm sure most of us can name countless examples of songs like this.
The Funkadelic claim by Bridgeport is the only reason I can see Robin and Co. protecting themselves from to be right but the Marvin claim is ridiculous, it obviously ripped elements of it.
I meant to say them suing Marvin's family is ridiculous.