Pharrell and Robin Thicke ordered to pay nearly $5 million in “Blurred Lines” lawsuit

Marvin Gaye’s estate successfully sued the musicians for copying 1977’s “Got to Give It Up.”

December 13, 2018

A California federal judge has concluded the lawsuit against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams by Marvin Gaye's family, by ordering the two artists to pay the estate almost $5 million. In 2013, Gaye's family launched an ultimately successful lawsuit against Thicke and Williams for plagiarizing Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up” in the creation of the 2013 song "Blurred Lines."

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Judge John A. Kronstadt awarded the Gaye family $4,983,766.85 in total. Thicke, Williams and his publishing company More Water From Nazareth must pay $2,848,846.50. Thicke will separately pay $1,768,191.88 and Williams and his company will pay an additional $357,630.96 to cover profits from the infringement. The Gaye family will also receive half of all future royalties and publishing revenue from the song.

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Thumbnail photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Pharrell and Robin Thicke ordered to pay nearly $5 million in “Blurred Lines” lawsuit