Source: https://www.mbhb.com/intelligence/snippets/blurred-lines-artists-lose-multi-million-dollar-copyright-lawsuit
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 15:27:53+00:00

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Pop artists Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ “Blurred Lines” song was the most popular single in 2013, topping the U.S. and international music charts. The song has sold over 6 million copies and its accompanying video has been played hundreds of millions of times on YouTube. The song has also embroiled Thicke and Williams and others in a contentious copyright lawsuit against Marvin Gaye’s children. In a recent verdict, a California federal jury found that Thicke and Williams’ smash hit copied Marvin Gaye’s 1977 song “Got To Give It Up” and awarded Marvin Gaye’s children $7.39 million in damages for copyright infringement. In a follow-up to our earlier articles, we discuss some of the issues raised in the case and what impact, if any, the decision can have on musicians who try to emulate a particular genre or another artist’s sound.
After receiving threats of legal action from the Gaye family, accusing Thicke and Williams of infringing Marvin Gaye’s song, Thicke, together with Williams and Clifford Harris, pre-emptively filed a lawsuit on August 15, 2013, against the Gaye family, seeking a declaratory judgment action in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that “Blurred Lines” did not infringe Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” Gaye’s children, who own the copyrights on their father’s composition, countersued on October 30, 2013, also naming defendants UMG Recordings, Inc. and several of its subsidiaries, including Interscope Records, all of which allegedly played a part in manufacturing and distributing “Blurred Lines.” On October 30, 2014, the U.S. district judge denied Thicke and Williams’ Motion for Summary Judgment, however in doing so, the judge found that the sheet music of Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” and “After the Dance” that were deposited with the U.S. Copyright Office defined the scope of the copyrighted compositions, not the sound recordings.
On January 26, 2015, during the parties’ final pretrial conference and hearing on the motions in limine, the judge granted Thicke and Williams’ motion to exclude the Gaye Parties from playing the sound recording of “Got to Give It Up” to the jury during trial. The judge was concerned that Gaye’s voice, backup vocals, and some of the percussion, which are elements that are not covered by the copyrighted sheet music, could sway the jury. During the trial, the jurors repeatedly heard the “Blurred Lines” song and saw portions of its associated music video but did not hear Gaye’s recorded version of “Got To Give It Up.” Rather, the jury heard a version constructed from the sheet music which lacked many of the musical elements of the original song, including Gaye’s voice.
Following the jury verdict, the Gaye Parties filed a Motion for Injunctive Relief to immediately prevent the Plaintiffs from “reproducing, distributing, performing, displaying, and preparing derivative works” of “Blurred Lines” and “impound any and all infringing articles containing the composition ‘Blurred Lines.’” Additionally, the Gaye Parties filed a Motion to correct the Jury’s Verdict requesting that the court impose liability for direct copyright infringement of the composition copyright of “Got To Give It Up” on Clifford Harris, Jr. and the Interscope Parties. Thicke and Williams moved to strike both of the Gaye Parties’ motions, arguing that the motions were procedurally improper.
The court distinguished UMG Recordings, which was brought under the Copyright Act of 1976, by noting that Marvin Gaye’s compositions could not have been embedded in the sound recording under the Copyright Act of 1909, which governed this case, because “a sound recording is not a publication under the earlier legislation.” Under the 1909 Act, “publication of a work with proper notice was necessary to obtain statutory copyright protection.” The 1909 Act applies to cases, such as this one, in which the creation and publication of a work occurred before January 1, 1978.
While the court acknowledged that “the scope of [the Gaye Parties’] copyrights is not, as a matter of law, limited to the lead sheets deposited with the Copyright Office in 1976 and 1977,” the court also stated that the Gaye Parties “do not offer evidence that the copyright compositions encompass subject matter beyond the lead sheets.” Ultimately, the court relied on a combination of the law governing the case (the 1909 Copyright Act) and the Defendants’ apparent lack of evidence that the composition should comprise elements not found in the sheet music to limit its infringement analysis to the elements in the sheet music. However, even with this narrower assessment of the Defendants’ compositions, the court still found that genuine issues of fact existed concerning substantial similarity so as to deny summary judgment to the Thicke Parties.
As discussed previously, the case would turn on the persuasiveness of contradictory reports and testimony of the expert musicologists retained by the parties. Indeed, after the verdict issued, one of the jurors admitted that the jury had put significant weight on the Gaye’s musicologist expert witness, Judith Finell, who analyzed the songs and pointed to elements from the Gaye’s song that were used in Blurred lines. And, the “sufficient disagreement” between the parties’ experts regarding the substantial similarity of “Blurred Lines” and “Got To Give It Up” convinced the court that a genuine issue of material fact existed so as to deny summary judgement.
According to the Finell expert report, Blurred Lines included “a constellation of at least eight substantially similar features” with Gaye’s “Got to Give it Up”: (1) the signature phrase; (2) hooks; (3) hooks with backup vocals; (4) the core theme in “Blurred Lines” and the backup hook in “Got to Give it Up”; (5) backup hooks; (6) bass melodies; (7) keyboard parts; and (8) unusual percussion choices. Additionally, the report pointed out that both songs share “departures from convention such as the unusual cowbell instrumentation, omission of guitar and use of male falsetto.” Thicke and Williams, however, noted that the musical elements that Thicke and Williams are accused of copying were not reflected in the copyrighted sheet music.
The Gaye family also retained a second expert, Ingrid Monson, whose expert report paralleled the Finell report but offered some additional analysis of the similarities and differences between the two songs. The opinion of the second expert may have been helpful to the jury in further supporting Finell’s position.
Thicke and Williams retained musicologist Sandy Wilbur whose expert report also included a comparative analysis of the “Blurred Lines” and “Got to Give It Up” and as expected, “found no substantial similarity between the melodies, rhythms, harmonies, structures and lyrics” of the two songs. The Wilbur expert report focused on the significant differences between the two songs and noted that many of the musical elements that Thicke and Williams were accused of infringing, such as cow bells, percussion sounds, etc., were not present in the copyrighted deposit. Furthermore, the Wilbur expert report asserted that many of the musical elements are common elements used in many songs. While Ms. Wilbur concluded that the songs were not substantially similar, her opinion was repeatedly attacked during trial.
In reaching its decision, the jury was apparently more persuaded by the evidence of the Finell report and Ms. Finell’s testimony. Thicke’s contradictory testimony and admissions regarding the creation of “Blurred Lines” during the trial did not help his case, casting him in an unfavorable light before the jury and no doubt influencing the jury’s verdict.
Is Thicke and Williams’ “Blurred Lines” a product of inspiration or a derivative of Gaye’s work? The jury decided the latter. Despite Thicke and Williams’ significant success in forcing the jury to only consider the copyrighted sheet music, which lacked many of the musical elements that Thicke and Williams were accused of infringing, and preventing the jury from hearing the sound recording of Gaye’s music, the jury decided against them, relying heavily on the opinions of musical experts as expected. The jury found that “Blurred Lines” copied a protectable combination of elements within “Got to Give It Up,” and that copyright infringement had occurred. Whether this case could have been decided differently had Thicke not contradicted himself during trial is debatable. However, this decision may have a chilling effect on musicians who try to emulate a particular genre or pay homage to another artist’s sound.
Perhaps the key lesson of this case is for musicians interested in emulating a particular genre or artist’s sound to seriously consider taking a license early on or hire very good experts in anticipation of litigation. Subsequent to the decision, both sides have filed motions, indicating that the legal drama is not over yet.
 Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. LA CIV13-06004, 2014 WL 7877773, at *2 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 30. 2014).
 Special Verdict, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #320, at 2, 4 (C.D. Cal. Feb. 10, 2015) [hereinafter “Jury Verdict”].
 See Emily Miao & Nicole E. Grimm, The Blurred Lines of Copyright Infringement of Music Becomes Even Blurrier as the Robin Thicke v. Marvin Gaye’s Estate Lawsuit Continues, 21 Westlaw J. Intellectual Prop. 1 (Apr. 2014); Emily Miao & Nicole E. Grimm, The Blurred Lines of What Constitutes Copyright Infringement of Music: Robin Thicke v. Marvin Gaye’s Estate, 20 Westlaw J. Intellectual Prop. 15 (Nov. 2013).
 Complaint for Declaratory Relief, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. # 1, at 15, 20 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 15, 2013) [hereinafter “Complaint”].
 Defendants’ Frankie Christian Gaye and Nona Marvisa Gaye First Amended Counterclaims, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #14, at Count 2 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 30, 2013) [hereinafter “Counterclaim”]; see also Daniel Siegal, Thicke, Pharrell Owe $7.4M in ‘Blurred Lines’ IP Fight, Law360 (Mar. 10, 2015; 5:38 PM ET), http://www.law360.com/articles/628694/thicke-pharrell-owe-7-4m-in-blurred-lines-ip-fight.
 Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. LA CIV13-06004, 2014 WL 7877773, at *10 (C.D. Cal. Oct. 30. 2014). Motown Records owns the sound recordings to “Got To Give It Up” and “After The Dance.” See Counter-Claimants’ Request for Evidentiary Relief, A Bench Instruction, and A Supplemental Jury Instruction, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #297, at 2 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 2, 2015). Motown Records is owned by Universal Music Group (“UMG”). See Universal Music Group, Overview, http://www.universalmusic.com/company (last visited Apr. 27, 2015). UMG also owns Interscope Records, a party in this lawsuit.
 Civil Minutes – General, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #226, at 1 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 26, 2015).
 See Kory Grow, Robin Thicke, Pharrell Lost Multi-Million Dollar ‘Blurred Lines’ Lawsuit, Rolling Stone (Mar. 10, 2015), http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/robin-thicke-and-pharrell-lose-blurred-lines-lawsuit-20150310.
 Id.; see also Jury Instructions, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #322, at 37 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 10, 2015) (summarizing the musical evidence heard by the jury, including “recorded versions of each work that each side has prepared based on what each side contends is sown in the deposit copy that was filed with the Copyright Office” and versions of the songs as they appear on the deposit copy played by keyboard).
 See Jury Verdict, at 2. The jury found that the Williams Parties earned $1.61 million in profits and that Robin Thicke earned $1.77 million in profits. Id. The jury also awarded $9,375.00 to the Gaye Parties in statutory damages for the infringement of “Got To Give It Up.” Id. at 4. The jury did not find that Clifford Harris, Jr. and The Interscope Parties received any profits attributable to the infringement of the copyright in “Got To Give It Up.” Id. at 2.
 Id. at 1; see also Counter-Claimants’ Joint Motion to Correct the Jury’s Verdict, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #345, at 2 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 17, 2015) [hereinafter “Motion to Correct Jury’s Verdict”].
 See Jury Verdict, at 2-3.
 See id., at 4-5. The “Thicke Parties” accused of infringing Gaye’s “After the Dance” were Robin Thicke, Paula Maxine Patton, Geffen Records, UMG Recordings, Inc., Universal Music Distribution, and Star Trek Entertainment. Id. at 5.
 Counter-Claimants’ Joint Post-Trial Motion for Injunctive Relief, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #346, at 2 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 17, 2015).
 See Motion to Correct Jury’s Verdict, at 1. The Gaye Parties argued that “all members of the distribution chain are liable for copyright infringement, including co-writer of the song “Blurred Lines” Clifford Harris, Jr. and the Interscope Parties, who manufactured, licensed, distributed, and sold the infringing song….” Id.
 Plaintiff and Counter-Defendants’ Motion to Strike Counter-Claimants’ Motion to Correct the Verdict and For Injunctive Relief and Request for a Status Conference to Set a Briefing Schedule for all Post-Trial Motions; Memorandum of Points and Authorities, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #356, at 1 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 19, 2015) [hereinafter “Plaintiffs’ Motion to Strike”].
 Joint Report Pursuant to the Court’s March 20, 2015 Order (Dkt. 360), Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #356, at 1 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 27, 2015).
 Plaintiffs’ Motion to Strike at 5.
 212 F.3d 477, 486 (9th Cir. 2000). However, the Isley Brothers’ expert in the Three Boys Music Corp. case testified at trial that the deposit copy “included all of the song’s essential elements such as the title, hook, chorus, and pitches” and even played the deposit copy on a keyboard for the jury. Id. Unlike the Isley Brothers’ expert, the expert for the Gaye family opined that it would be “musically misleading” to limit the composition of “Got to Give It Up” and “After the Dance” to the copyright deposit copies. 2014 WL 7877773, at *4.
 212 F.3d at 486 (quoting Harris v. Emnus Records Corp., 734 F.2d 1329, 1335 (9th Cir. 1984)).
 Williams, 2014 WL 7877773, at *9.
 585 F.3d 267, 276 (6th Cir. 2009).
 2014 WL 7877773, at *10.
 See Siegal, supra note 6.
 Williams, 2014 WL 7877773, at *20.
 Plaintiff and Counter-Defendants’ Notice of Motion and Motion for Summary Judgment or, in the Alternative, Partial Summary Judgement; Memorandum of Points and Authorities, Williams v. Bridgeport Music, Inc., No. 13-06004, Doc. #89, at 1 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 27, 2015).
 Williams, 2014 WL 7877773, at *4.
 See Charlotte Alter, Robin Thicke Admits He Didn’t Really Write ‘Blurred Lines,’ Was High in the Studio, Time (Sept. 15, 2014), http://time.com/3378763/robin-thicke-blurred-lines-lawsuit-pharrell-drugs/. However, as the court noted, “Thicke’s inconsistent statements do not constitute direct evidence of copying.” Williams, 2014 WL 7877773, at *11.
 See Miao & Grimm 2014, supra note 4.

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