After ‘Blurred Lines’ was released in March of 2013, the track went on to garner incredible success all over the world. A few highlights of the song’s popularity are:

But the song’s success proved too good to be true.
 
Just recently on March 10th, 2015, Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were found guilty by a jury of the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for copyright infringement. The trial which began in February of this year, ended when a decision came after a long legal battle between the songwriters and the family of Marvin Gaye, although the suit started in 2014.
 

 
The Gaye estate, spearheaded by Marvin Gaye’s two children, originally sued Thicke and Williams because they believed that ‘Blurred Lines’ had clearly used elements from Marvin Gaye’s 1977 chart topping single ‘Got to Give it Up’.
 
The heirs to Gaye’s estate brought the lawsuit against the pop stars because they believed that when listening to the song, there are elements of ‘Blurred Lines’ that seem to overlap, especially in terms of the pop instrumental aspects. The latter refers to the fact that while none of the lyrics are identical, the rhythm, beat, and additional sound effects were found to have shared elements.
 

 

              

 

 
After arguments were put forth by both sides, both Thicke and Williams (But not co-singer T.I. or the record company) were found guilty of copyright infringement after the jury found that ‘Blurred Lines’ had definitely used elements from the original Gaye track.
 
The jury awarded the Gaye family an astounding $7.4 million in damages for this infringement, although the family initially asked for $25 million; estimates show that the song netted around $17 million which is how the family justified their sum.

 

You are singer ? Songwriter ? Download 10 Free Pop instrumental Beats. Credits: Sony ATV, Universal Music, MTV, VH1..

 

 
Much of the media, especially musicians, were shocked at the verdict and were quick to dismiss the jury’s ruling as unfounded. Although it was clear elements were taken from ‘Got to Give it Up’, musicians felt vulnerable because this ruling seems to have established a precedence going forward that even if a song is only remotely similar to a past song, the artists are liable for damages based on infringement.
 
The significant aspect of the ruling was that the jury found basis for copyright infringement solely because of the similarities in the pop instrumental aspects, but there was virtually no crossing over between the lyrics of the two songs; this is what is really troubling musicians.
 

 
Both Mr. Thicke and Mr. Williams have vowed to appeal the verdict claiming that they have committed no wrongs. They will seek to be exonerated for any wrong doings and wish to continue to profit, as well as to continue promoting their work.
 
On the other side of the aisle, the Gaye estate has said that it intends to block any and all future sales of the ‘Blurred Lines’ single until the case has finally been put to rest.