Facts

Music artists Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, and Clifford Harris Jr. filed a complaint for declaratory relief against Bridgeport Music Inc., Frankie Gaye, Marvin Gaye III, and Nona Gaye, heirs of the late singer Marvin Gaye, concerning plaintiff's successful composition "Blurred Lines, which defendants claimed felt and sounded the same as Marvin Gaye's song, "Got To Give It Up" and Bridgeport's song called "Sexy Ways."

The claim against Bridgeport was dismissed.

Defendants Frankie Christian Gaye, Marvin Gaye III, and Nona Marvisa Gaye filed a cross-complaint against plaintiffs.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs denied incorporating or otherwise using "Got To Give It Up" in "Blurred Lines." In sum, plaintiffs denied infringing on this copyright.

CROSS-COMPLAINANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendants accused Universal Music Group and plaintiffs of infringing on defendants' copyright by including elements of "Got To Give It Up" in "Blurred Lines" without defendants' knowledge or consent. Defendants also filed cross-complaint against Universal Music Group, Thicke, Paula Patton and Geffen Records, claiming they infringed Marvin Gaye's copyright in "After the Dance" by the song "Love After War."

Result

Ultimately, the jury found that Williams and Thicke infringed on "Got To Give It Up" and awarded Marvin Gaye's heirs $7.4 million. The jury found that Universal Music Group and Harris did not infringe. The jury also found that "Love After War," did not infringe "After the Dance."