Pharrell: 'Blurred Lines ruling sets horrible precedent'
Pharrell Williams has expressed his disappointment after losing a copyright infringement trial against Marvin Gaye's children over the similarities between his hit Blurred Lines and the late soul legend's Got to Give It Up, insisting the verdict "sets a horrible precedent for music and creativity".
After a two week trial, a Los Angeles jury ruled that Robin Thicke and Williams copied portions of Gaye's 1977 track while writing their 2013 hit, and ordered them to pay Gaye's children, Nona, Frankie and Marvin Gaye III, $7.3 million (GBP4.9 million).
A spokesperson for Williams has since released a statement about
the verdict, and it appears the Happy singer is far from happy with
the trial's outcome.
The statement reads: "While we respect the judicial process, we are
extremely disappointed in the ruling made today, which sets a
horrible precedent for music and creativity going forward.
"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."
Thicke, who was celebrating his 38th birthday as the verdict was
announced on Tuesday (10Mar15), has since added his name to
Williams' statement.
Meanwhile, Nona Gaye has called the verdict a "miracle", adding,
"Right now, I feel free. Free from... Pharrell Williams and Robin
Thicke's chains and what they tried to keep on us and the lies that
were told (sic)."