‘Verdict will change how musicians work’

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 singers’ pocketbooks — it has the potential to change how musicians work and could open the door to new copyright claims.

An eight-person jury determined 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.”