Donate
upper waypoint
Forum

Navigating the 'Blurred Lines' Between Musical Inspiration and Theft

Last month, a jury ordered artists Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to pay Marvin Gaye's family $7.3 million. The duo had been accused of ripping off Gaye's 1977 hit "Got to Give It Up" for their song "Blurred Lines." Now, hip-hop mogul Jay Z faces his own copyright infringement trial. We'll examine one of music's age-old questions: when is a song a homage, and when is it simply a ripoff?
Judy Campbell
 (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Last month, a jury ordered artists Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to pay Marvin Gaye’s family $7.3 million. The duo had been accused of ripping off Gaye’s 1977 hit “Got to Give It Up” for their song “Blurred Lines.” Now, hip-hop mogul Jay Z faces his own copyright infringement trial. We’ll examine one of music’s age-old questions: when is a song a homage, and when is it simply a ripoff?

Songs and Copyright Cases We Will Likely Discuss

'Got to Give It Up' and 'Blurred Lines'

 

 

'Big Pimpin'' and 'Khosara Khosara'

 

 

"Rock Me Tonight' and 'Let's Get it On'

 

 

'Stay With Me' and 'I Won't Back Down'

 

 

'My Sweet Lord' and 'He's So Fine'

 

 

'Spirit' and 'Stairway to Heaven'

 

 

'Holidays in the Sun' and 'In the City'

 

lower waypoint
next waypoint
Player sponsored by