“Blurred Lines” Appeal Gets Support From More Than 200 Musicians

Earth, Wind & Fire, Tool, R. Kelly, Rivers Cuomo, Danger Mouse, the Go-Go’s, Three 6 Mafia, Tears for Fears, Kiesza, Linkin Park, Hans Zimmer, more
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Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS

Following a jury’s decision that “Blurred Lines” had infringed on Marvin Gaye’s "Got to Give It Up,” several musicians spoke up about the potential legal ramifications of that decision. Today, 212 musicians came together to file an amicus brief in support of Robin ThickePharrell Williams, and T.I., asking the court to overturn the $5.3 million judgment.

Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Danger Mouse, the Go-Go’s, Three 6 Mafia, Earth Wind & Fire, Tool, R. Kelly, Tears for Fears, Kiesza, Linkin Park, Hans Zimmer, Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, Frank Ocean collaborator Malay, Jennifer Hudson, Jean Baptiste, and many more are showing their support. Find the full brief below via The Hollywood Reporter.

The artists’ brief, written by Ed McPherson, explains:

“Amici are concerned about the potential adverse impact on their own creativity, on the creativity of future artists, and on the music industry in general,if the judgment in this case is allowed to stand. The verdict in this case threatens to punish songwriters for creating new music that is inspired by prior works. All music shares inspiration from prior musical works, especially within a particular musical genre. By eliminating any meaningful standard for drawing the line between permissible inspiration and unlawful copying, the judgment is certain to stifle creativity and impede the creative process. The law should provide clearer rules so that songwriters can know when the line is crossed, or at least where the line is.”

Musician and writer Damon Krukowski wrote about the “Blurred Lines” decision in a Pitchfork op-ed, “Plagiarize This: A Reasonable Solution to Musical Copyright After ‘Blurred Lines.’”