Judge Rejects New "Blurred Lines" Trial, Holds T.I. Liable for Copyright Infringement

After a jury ruled that Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I.‘s hit song “Blurred Lines” had copied Marvin Gaye‘s “Got to Give It Up”, Thicke and Williams’ lawyer asked for a new trial. U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt has now denied their bid for another trial, THR reports.

The judge also agreed with the Gaye family’s argument that T.I. and the labels behind the song—UMG, Interscope, and Star Trak Entertainment—should be held liable for copyright infringement.

The Gayes’ request for an injunction to halt distribution of the song was denied, but they have been granted 50% of all the song’s ongoing royalties.

The judge also cut back the damages awarded to the Gaye family. Initially, they were awarded $7.4 million. That number is now $5.3 million. Read the full ruling here.

Williams’ lawyer Howard King has once again asserted his intention to appeal. “We look forward to exercising our further remedies and ultimately achieving clarity on the difference between inspiration and copyright infringement,” he said.

Read Damon Krukowski’s op-ed on the Thicke/Gaye lawsuit, “Plagiarize This”.

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