Music Copyright Cases: Blurred Lines Case Study (Includes Rare Footage)

Music Copyright Cases: Blurred Lines Case Study

Back in 2015, the copyright case between the family of Marvin Gaye and the writers of Robin Thicke's blurred lines produced a shocking result that alarmed the music industry.

The court had ruled that Pharrell Williams had infringed copyright by using elements from Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up" for the song he wrote and produced for Robin Thicke. What made the verdict a surprise was that the elements cited things like the basslines, chords and the "groove" are not usually protected by copyright.

So why did the court rule that way?

An in-depth look in the case, and the previous cases that set the precedents,
Isley Brothers vs Michael Bolton
[Three Boys Music Corp. v. Michael Bolton,
212 F.3d 477 (9th Cir. 2000)]
and
The Chiffons vs George Harrison
[Bright Tunes Music Corp. v. Harrisongs Music, Ltd. -
420 F. Supp. 177 (S.D.N.Y. 1976) & ABKCO Music Inc. v. Harrisongs Music, Ltd.]

Includes rare footage of depositions used in the case and actual footage of the appeal hearing