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Famous Celebrity Copyright Cases

Brooke Gignac |
March 11, 2015 | 1:13 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

(Twitter/@d_ozradiobali)
(Twitter/@d_ozradiobali)
A jury said on Tuesday that Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams must pay almost $7.4 million to Marvin Gaye’s children, for copying his song with their hit single “Blurred Lines.”

The song was ruled to be too similar to Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up.” 

 “Blurred Lines” was one of the biggest hits of 2013, bringing in a profit of over 16 million dollars. Thicke made over $5 million from the single, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Pharrell also made over $5 million and T.I. made over $700,000.

“Blurred Lines”

“Gotta Give It Up”

SEE ALSO: Robin Thicke High While Recording Blurred Lines

The verdict shocked many, but it is not the first copyright court case in the music industry. 

Alicia Keys faced similar accusations for her single “Girl On Fire” in 2012. Keys' song was allegedly too similar to Earl Shuman’s “Hey There Lonely Boy,” produced in 1962.

However, unlike the “Blurred Lines” case, the parties were able to reach a settlement in April 2013, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Girl On Fire”

“Hey There Lonely Boy”

Nicki Minaj faced accusations of copyright infringement in 2014 for her song “Starships.”

An electronic artist named Clive Tanaka pressed charges against Minaj, stating her single was too similar to his track “Neu Chicago.”

According to Pitchfork, Minaj claimed that she has never heard of “Neu Chicago” or Tanaka. 

SEE ALSO: Nicki Minaj Blames Walmart and Target For Album's Poor Sales

“Starships”

“Neu Chicago”

Kanye West was also sued for copyright infringement for his song "Stronger." Vincent Peters accused West of copying his song, also titled "Stronger" in 2012.

Peters claimed the two songs had similar rhyme schemes and referenced the same celebrities, according to Leaven, Strand & Glover LLC

West was found not guilty by the U.S. Court of Appeals in April 2012. 

"Stronger" (West)

Reach Staff Reporter Brooke Gignac here.



 

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