The estate of late soul icon Marvin Gaye has hit back at R&B star Robin Thicke in the latest twist to the legal saga surrounding the singer's smash-hit "Blurred Lines."
Gaye's estate has filed a counter-claim to a pre-emptive suit lodged by Thicke and Pharrell Williams in August which had asked a California court to rule that the chart-topping hit had not lifted melodies from Gaye's 1977 classic "Got to Give it Up."
But Gaye's family argue in court papers filed in Los Angeles that Thicke's hit amounts to "blatant copying of a constellation of distinctive and significant compositional elements of Marvin Gaye's classic #1 song."
The family of the singer also pointed to interviews given by Thicke to GQ magazine and Billboard in which he cites "Got to Give It Up" as the key inspiration for the song.
"Pharrell and I were in the studio and I told him that one of my favorite songs of all time was Marvin Gaye's 'Got to Give It Up'," Thick was quoted as saying by GQ earlier this year.
"I was like 'Damn, we should make something like that, something with that groove.' Then he started playing a little something and we literally wrote the song in about a half hour and recorded it," Thicke added.
The court filing by Gaye's family, quoted an interview given by Thicke since the legal furore unfolded in which he appears to flatly contradict his earlier comments.
Asked directly by the TMZ entertainment news website if he had been thinking of Marvin Gaye when "Blurred Lines" was composed, he replied: "No."
In addition, the Gaye estate's court case cites several prominent music critics who have all remarked about the song's similarity to "Got to Give It Up."
An expert report commissioned by a musicologist also noted "eight substantially similar compositional features."
The countersuit also challenges Thicke beyond "Blurred Lines," claiming that his song "Love After War" had drawn heavily on Gaye's "After the Dance."
Thicke, Williams and T.I. had filed a pre-emptive strike in August seeking to quash any potential claims by Gaye's estate.
"There are no similarities between plaintiffs' composition and those the claimants allege they own, other than commonplace musical elements," papers filed by Thicke's attorneys said.
"Plaintiffs created a hit and did it without copying anyone else's composition.
"Being reminiscent of a 'sound' is not copyright infringement. The intent in producing 'Blurred Lines' was to evoke an era," it added.
"The reality is that the songs themselves are starkly different."
AFP
Thu Oct 31 2013
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.