Robin Thicke Sued By Marvin Gaye's Family for Blurred Lines Copyright Infringement

Wednesday, 15 January 2014 22:24
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Robin Thicke photo courtesy of Facebook.com

January 15, 2014. Surprise but not a surprise!  The uncanny syncopation and riff samples interwoven in Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" are undeniably from Marvin Gaye's Motown sensation "Got To Give It Up." It's surprising that Robin Thicke and his record company did not consult with the copyright laws. According to cbc.ca, two of Marvin Gaye's children sued Robin Thicke and his collaborators on the hit song Blurred Lines on Wednesday, accusing them of copyright infringement and alleging music company EMI failed to protect their father's legacy.

The quintessential Marvin Gaye is remembered as Legendary Motown artist & The Prince of Soul with R&B hits "Let's Get It On," "Heard It Through The Grapevine," and "What's Going On."

Robin, son of Alan Thicke Canadian actor, songwriter, and game and talk show host, garnered heightened media attention performing his catchy hit with the saucy Miley Cyrus at the MTV VMA 2013 awards.  Thicke is nominated for Grammy Awards Record of the Year for "Blurred Lines" and is a featured performer at the music awards ceremony.

Nona Marvisa Gaye and Frankie Christian Gaye's suit is the latest salvo in a dispute over Thicke's hit and whether it copies elements of Gaye's song "Got to Give It Up".

Their lawsuit seeks to block Thicke and collaborators Pharrell and T.I. from using elements (or samples) of their father's music in "Blurred Lines" or other songs.

Thicke has denied copying Gaye's song for Blurred Lines, which has the longest streak this year atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has sold more than 6 million tracks so far. The suit also accused Thicke of improperly using Gaye's song After the Dance in his song Love After War.

Much of the lawsuit focuses on claims that EMI should have pursued a copyright infringement claim. It also alleges the company's executives used intimidation to try to stop the Gaye family from pursuing a lawsuit.


See the OFC Insider exclusive interview with Grammy nominated classic rock singer, songwriter Eddie Money and his perspective on the Gaye-Thicke conflict

Last Updated on Friday, 31 January 2014 02:02