JURY RULES: Robin Thicke Pharrell Owe Gaye Family $7.3MIL Over Blurred Lines

A jury decided in favor of Marvin Gaye‘s family ordering Robin Thicke and Pharrell to pay $7.3 million for copyright infringement over “Blurred Lines.”

The Gaye family sought over $25 million, however, the victory is still salient and significant.

In the trial, Marvin Gaye’s family argued that 2013’s “Blurred Lines” copied their father’s 1977 song “Got to Give Up,” and sued Thicke, Williams and Clifford Harris Jr., a.k.a. T.I. The three had sought a jury determination that the song was not an infringement, and the Gaye family filed a countersuit. “Blurred Lines” was a huge hit in 2013 and, by many measures, was the top song of the year. Since it was released, “Blurred Lines” has made nearly $16.5 million, with the Gaye heirs seeking a portion of the profits. Overall, the . Gaye died in 1984. h/t variety

Both Thicke and Williams appeared in court to defend their case, with much of the trial featuring comparisons to both songs. Listening to the juxtaposed bass lines of the two songs in question, Williams even admitted the similarities, saying “It sounds like you’re playing the same thing.”

Still, while testifying last week, Williams said the two songs share “feel — not infringement.”