Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke Ordered To Pay Marvin Gaye’s Family $5 Million In “Blurred Lines” Lawsuit

Back in 2013, Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams released their mega-hit, “Blurred Lines,” which peaked at number one in the U.S., where it was also the longest running number one single of the year. It also became one of the best selling singles of all time, all while breaking the record for the largest radio audience in history. 

The song was produced by both Thicke and Williams with the intention to create something with the groove of Marvin Gaye’s 1977 hit, “Got to Give It Up.” Five months after its release, Thicke, Williams, and T.I.. who rapped over the beat, were slapped with a copyright infringement lawsuit over the similarities. 

Now five years later, a judge has ordered Thicke and Williams to pay $5 million to Gaye’s family. 

Both Williams and Thicke were found liable in 2015, after a judge determined the two owed the estate $7 million in the suit, but after the pair’s appeal the amount was reduced to $4,983,766.85, Billboard reports. Gaye’s family will also receive 50 percent of the song’s future royalties.