The argument that the beat and falsetto are property of the Marvin Gaye estate strikes me as a stretch. These songs have a similarities, but its a gonna be tough for the Gaye Estate to prove infringement.
Marvin Gaye – Got To Give It Up
Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell
Listeners were able to discern similarities between the songs, particularly with regards to the beat and Thicke’s vocal delivery. Apparently this included the family of Marvin Gaye, as this week Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. (real name Clifford Harris, Jr.) filed a lawsuit against the late singer’s relatives, alleging that the defendants have “claimed ownership of an entire genre.”
Uh huh: Thicke and company’s lawyers are getting pre-emptive.
In the filing, which can be read here, Thicke’s lawyers claim that the similarities between the two songs are totally common: “[There] are no similarities between plaintiffs’ composition and those the claimants allege they own, other than commonplace musical elements.”
Previously:
Blurred lines (Duke Cover) (August 2nd, 2013)
Sources:
Robin Thicke Doesn’t Want to ‘Give Up’ ‘Blurred Lines’ to Gaye’s Family, Yahoo
Robin Thicke Is Really Sorry to Sue Marvin Gaye’s Heirs, BusinessWeek
Robin Thicke and Company File a Lawsuit Against Marvin Gaye’s Family Over ‘Blurred Lines’, Zimbio
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