(MENAFN- Arab Times) LOS ANGELES March 11 (Agencies): A jury's verdict that Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke copied Marvin Gaye's music to create their hit song 'Blurred Lines' won't just be felt by the singer's pocketbooks it has the potential to change how musicians work and could open the door to new copyright claims.
An eight-person jury determined Tuesday that Williams and Thicke copied elements of Gaye's 1977 hit 'Got to Give It Up' and ordered the pair to pay nearly $7.4 million to the late singer's three children. Gaye's daughter Nona Gaye wept as the verdict was read and later told reporters 'Right now I feel free. Free from ... Pharrell Williams' and Robin Thicke's chains and what they tried to keep on us and the lies that were told.' The music industry may feel new constraints in the coming years as artists and lawyers sort through the verdict and its implications. Howard King lead attorney for Thicke and Williams told jurors in closing arguments that a verdict for the Gaye family would have a chilling effect on musicians' trying to evoke an era or create an homage to the sound of earlier musicians. Williams contended during the trial that he was only trying to mimic the 'feel' of Gaye's late 1970s music but insisted he did not use elements of his idol's work. Odds 'Today's successful verdict with the odds more than stacked against the Marvin Gaye estate could redefine what copyright infringement means for recording artists' said Glen Rothstein an intellectual property attorney with the firm Greenberg Glusker. 'The Gaye verdict is precedential in that whereas prior to today it was generally understood that paying homage to musical influences was an acceptable and indeed commonplace way of conducting business and even showing respect for one's musical idols after today doubt has been cast on where the line will be drawn for copyright infringement purposes' Rothstein said. The Gaye family will seek an injunction against 'Blurred Lines' which will give them leverage to negotiate for royalties and other concessions such as songwriting credits. Music copyright trials are rare but allegations that a song copies another artist's work are common. Recently singers Sam Smith and Tom Petty reached an agreement that conferred songwriting credit to Petty on Smith's song 'Stay With Me.' The agreement was reached because Smith's song resembled Petty's hit 'I Won't Back Down.' 'Unfortunately today's jury verdict has blurred the lines between protectable elements of a musical composition and the unprotectable musical style or groove exemplified by Marvin Gaye' said Larry Iser an intellectual property lawyer who has represented numerous musicians including Jackson Browne and David Byrne in music copyright cases. 'Although Gaye was the Prince of Soul he didn't own a copyright to the genre and Thicke and Williams' homage to the feel of Marvin Gaye is not infringing.' King who also represents numerous musicians said record labels are going to become more reluctant to release music that's similar to other works. 'This is going to make them more conservative and less likely that you're going to have new music' King said. That assertion was mocked by Richard Busch the lead attorney for the Gaye family. Exist 'While Mr Williams' lawyer suggested in his closing argument that the world would come to an end and music would cease to exist if they were found liable I still see the sun shining. I still see the wind blowing and I still see the clouds in the sky. The world has not come to an end' Busch said after the verdict. 'The music industry will go on.' So too will Williams' career said Joe Levy editor-at-large at Billboard. 'For Pharrell the story moves on' Levy said. 'It will move on quickly.' Williams is a seven-time Grammy Award winner whose songs that he's either performed or produced have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. His hit 'Happy' has helped make him a household name as has his work as a judge on NBC's singing competition show 'The Voice.' Feminists have criticized Williams for producing 'Blurred Lines' which they say promotes rape culture. 'It's much to Pharrell's advantage that he is at a high point in his career' Levy said. Thicke's career may have more issues as a result of Tuesday's verdict since 'Blurred Lines' was a global hit and his follow-up effort failed to connect with audiences Levy said. Levy said that while the verdict will likely make musicians and record labels more cautious it won't stop artists from using others' works as inspiration. 'Are people going to stop writing songs inspired in homage to what's come before? I don't think so' he said. Levy said the size of the judgment for the Gaye family was surprising as well as the fact the case even went this far. US country legend Emmylou Harris and Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie have won Sweden's Polar Music Prize organisers said Wednesday. The musicians were seen as fringe picks for an award founded by Swedish super pop group ABBA's late manager Stig Anderson and previously won by the likes of Joni Mitchell Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney. 'As a singer (Harris) has an unmistakable voice that carries so many emotions it can almost feel unbearable' chairman of the prize committee Alfons Karabuda told reporters. Harris whose career began in 1975 reached for rock and pop influences with her groundbreaking 1995 album 'Wrecking Ball'. The Alabama native's music 'contains the history and topography of the entire American continent' the jury's nomination read. The country star has collaborated with the likes of Bob Dylan Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash and won 13 Grammy awards to date. 'I was surprised and honoured at the news of this most prestigious award' Harris told the jury in a statement. Glennie a solo percussionist who became deaf at the age of 12 was awarded the prize for widening 'our understanding of what music is' the jury said. 'Everyone whatever their physical circumstances can perceive and perform music can feel and convey good vibrations. We all have our own individual tone' its motivation read. The 49-year-old received the Order of the British Empire in 2007 and performed at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics five years later. The winners take home 1 million kronor (109000 euros $117000) in prize money and will receive their award from Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on June 9. Various artists 'Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire' (Columbia) If there's one thing that could have sunk Fox's 'Empire' faster than bad acting it's bad music. But ratings for the record-breaking hip-hop drama are soaring thanks to its addictive story line and entertaining cast as well as its slew of catchy tunes which are now included in the 'Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire.' Not every song on the compilation is a gem but the set is certainly worth a listen if only for a chance to hear more from actor and singer Jussie Smollett who plays Jamal Lyons the middle son of 'Empire' music mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard). Smollett is the soundtrack's breakout star a position for which veteran producer and 'Empire' music supervisor Timbaland certainly deserves at least some of the credit. Songs like 'Good Enough' and 'Keep Your Money' crafted by Timbaland and co-producer Jim Beanz marked pivotal moments in establishing Smollett's onscreen role as the introspective and talented Jamal. But the upbeat 'I Wanna Love You' and irresistibly sunny 'You're So Beautiful' both co-written by Smollett give audiences a sense of the actor's off-screen musical abilities. (It should be no surprise that Smollett has signed a real-life deal with Columbia Records.) As for actor-rapper Bryshere Gray who goes by Yazz the Greatest his musical contributions to the soundtrack are in line with his onscreen persona as youngest son Hakeem Lyon. That is mostly shallow and more rap parody than real rap. 'Speakin' of water you fluid with the foolishness just like H2O without the 2 in it' Yazz raps on 'Can't Truss Em.' Depth comes by way of up-and-coming singer V. Bozeman with her emotional delivery of 'What Is Love'; UK-born singer Estelle makes a perfect duet partner to Smollett on the uplifting 'Conqueror'; and Howard is an almost-believable singer alongside Mary J. Blige on the sweet 'Shake Down' produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.
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