“Blurred Lines” sparks sampling and infringement controversy

Brandi McKinney
Staff Writer

The blurred lines between copyright infringement and sampling have led to a lawsuit against R&B singer and song writer Robin Thicke.
“Blurred Lines” is the sixth studio album for Thicke and his single of the same title has sparked much controversy about sampling in the record industry.
The family of R&B legend, Marvin Gaye, is said to be threatening litigatigation because the similarities to “Blurred Lines” and Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up” are too much to ignore.
Thicke stated in a Yahoo! Music interview, “There is no sample.” He admits however that he was inspired by Marvin Gaye.
“All of his music…he’s one of my idols. It’s just something about that groove that appeals; you know, sexy dance-floor groove. It doesn’t try too hard but it just gets up in your bones.”
“Blurred Lines” featuring Pharrell Williams and T.I. was released on March 20, 2013. The song is currently number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 and is  now becoming Thicke’s highest peaking song in his recording career.
“Blurred Lines” has sold 1 million copies since its release and has sold more than 5,000,000 downloads in the United States.
Hoping to avoid a court battle, Billboard.com reported that Thicke offered the Gaye family a six figure settlement.  However, they declined the offer.
On Aug. 15 in the U.S. District Court of Los Angeles, Calif., Thicke, Pharrell and T.I. filed a lawsuit requesting that “Blurred Lines” be declared original and that it does not infringe on “Got To Give it Up.”
Gaye’s son, Marvin Gaye III, appeared on TMZ Live and stated, “We’re not happy with the way he went about doing the business, let alone suing us over something where he clearly got his inspiration from at the least.”
Jackson State University students have mixed feelings about the controversy.
“I do feel that both songs have the same high pitch sound throughout song, but that’s about it. I believe Marvin Gaye III just wants some money,” said Lawanda Tabor, a junior, psychology major from Chicago, Ill.
Ashley Hall, a senior biology major from Memphis, Tenn. said, “I haven’t noticed the similarities in the two songs other people claimed they hear, but I love the song. It is set as my ringtone!”
Kwanzaa Hall, a sophomore communicative disorders major from Carthage, Miss. said, “I don’t think it sounds exactly like but I can hear where Robin Thicke got the inspiration for the beat.”
Stay tuned, the Controversy of the beats continues…