Robin Thicke Files Lawsuit To Protect ‘Blurred Lines’ From Marvin Gaye’s Family

Robin Thicke is seeing massive success with his #1 hit 'Blurred Lines' and is doing everything in his power to make sure no one takes it away. Thicke, along with the song's producer Pharrell Williams and guest rapper T.I. (real name Clifford Harris, Jr) filed a lawsuit in California federal court yesterday (8/15) against Marvin Gaye's family and Bridgeport Music.

The Hollywood Reporter obtained a copy of suit that states:

Plaintiffs, who have the utmost respect for and admiration of Marvin Gaye, Funkadelic and their musical legacies, reluctantly file this action in the face of multiple adverse claims from alleged successors in interest to those artists. Defendants continue to insist that plaintiffs' massively successful composition, 'Blurred Lines,' copies 'their' compositions.

You see, the family of Marvin Gaye thinks that 'Blurred Lines' "feels" and/or "sounds" the same as Marvin Gaye's 'Got To Give It Up' and are said to be threatening legal action if Thicke, T.I. and Pharrell don't give them a piece of the money pie. Bridgeport Music (who owns work by Funkadelic) claims there is similarity between Thicke's hit and Funkadelic's 'Sexy Ways.'

Instead of giving them the chance to pursue such a lawsuit, the trio went to court first to make sure they are clear on their rights with the song. The suit says Gaye's family is "claiming ownership of an entire genre, as opposed to a specific work," and that

being reminiscent of a 'sound' is not copyright infringement. The intent in producing 'Blurred Lines' was to evoke an era.

It's a smart move if you ask me, because basically, they are seeking judgement that will determine that the parties who are allegedly threatening legal action have no actual legal ground to stand on. Even though you can say that 'Blurred Lines' may have been heavily influenced by Gaye's 'Got To Give It Up,' could you imagine if anyone could sue just because a song reminded them of another song?

Here are all 3 songs below. Give them a listen, and tell us what you think!

Marvin Gaye - 'Got To Give It Up'

Funkadelic - 'Sexy Ways'

Robin Thicke - 'Blurred Lines' (feat. T.i. & Pharrell)

[via The Hollywood Reporter]