Copyright Verdict Against Robin Thicke Hit ‘Blurred Lines’ Stands
Partner Mike Hobbs is quoted in a Bloomberg BNA story titled, “Copyright Verdict Against Robin Thicke Hit ‘Blurred Lines’ Stands.” The story reports on developments in Williams v. Gaye – at issue was whether Pharrell Williams’s 2013 hit song “blurred lines” infringed a copyright in a 1977 Marvin Gaye song. On March 21, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” was entitled to broad copyright protection and upheld a verdict in favor of Gaye’s estate. Hobbs is quoted about the decision, saying, ““Is this going to be a trend or is this going to be an anomaly? Because if this is going to be a trend, then, oh boy, this has the potential of fundamentally changing copyright.” Musicians will need to be cautious in talking about influences and inspirations, Hobbs said, adding, “Any time you have an influence, an homage, a tribute, whether it's music or art, theater, movies, you're going to have a real question of whether you have copyright infringement.”