Showbiz Sandbox 273: Bringing The ‘Blurred Lines’ Verdict Into Focus
March 16, 2015
A federal jury decided last week that the hit song “Blurred Lines” was improperly derived from Marvin Gaye’s 1977 classic “Got to Give It Up” and ordered songwriters Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to Pay $7.4 Million for copyright infringement. Though the verdict was a surprise, Eriq Gardner, a senior editor for The Hollywood Reporter, tells us it may not have the wide ranging implications for the music industry everyone now predicts.
Gardner explains some of the legal positions taken by both sides in the case. Usually for a copyright lawsuit to be successful the melody, harmony or lyrics must be infringed upon, though in this instance it was extended to include the style and “vibe” of the work. What will this mean for songwriters in the future?
Meanwhile, the MPAA published their verdict on last year’s box office figures. The good news is the organization’s annual report looks at the entire world, and not just the U.S. The bad news, at least according to some, is that box office receipts only increased 1% during what was a record breaking year in Asia.
Of course, we also cover the week’s top entertainment news stories including Sony’s plans for a Ghostbuster’s universe, the worldwide premiere of next season’s “Game of Thrones” and Disney announces a sequel to “Frozen”.
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Hollywood, Esq. Blog at The Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/thr-esq
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Paramount Pictures Undergoes Round of Layoffs
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‘Frozen 2’ in the Works, Disney Confirms
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Global Box Office 2014: Asia Comes to West’s Rescue
http://celluloidjunkie.com/2015/03/12/global-box-office-2014-asia-comes-wests-rescue/
Global Box Office Grows Only One Percent in 2014
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/global-box-office-grows-one-780684
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http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-five-worrisome-moviegoing-780787
Sony Sets Up ‘Ghostbusters’-Branded Production Banner Ghost Corps
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/sony-sets-up-ghostbusters-branded-production-banner-ghost-corps-1201449205/
Sony Plans ‘Ghostbusters’ Cinematic Universe
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sony-plans-ghostbusters-cinematic-universe-780179
Harper Lee’s Condition Debated by Friends, Fans and Now State of Alabama
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Robert Durst of HBO’s ‘The Jinx’ Says He ‘Killed Them All’
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10 People Killed in a Plane Crash in Argentina During Reality Show Filming
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‘Top Gear’ Host Jeremy Clarkson Suspended Following ‘Fracas’ with Producer
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New ‘Game of Thrones’ Episodes Will Air Worldwide Simultaneously
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‘Seinfeld’ Streaming Deal Could Top $100 Million
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U.K. Television Group ITV Acquires ‘The Voice’ Creator Talpa for Up to $1.17 Billion
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‘Blurred Lines’ Jury Orders Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to Pay $7.4 Million
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/blurred-lines-jury-orders-robin-779445
Marvin Gaye Family Lawyer: How I Won the ‘Blurred Lines’ Trial
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/marvin-gaye-family-lawyer-how-780743
Pharrell Williams’ Lawyer: “We’re Entering the Bottom of the Sixth Inning”
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/blurred-lines-verdict-pharrell-williams-781040
Why the “Blurred Lines” Copyright Verdict Should Be Thrown Out
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/why-the-blurred-lines-copyright-verdict-should-be-thrown-out
“Blurred Lines” Decision Could Be Overturned On Appeal
http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/03/blurred-lines-decision-could-be-overturned-on-appeal.html
Did Robin Thicke Steal ‘Blurred Lines’ From Marvin Gaye?
http://joebennett.net/2014/02/01/did-robin-thicke-steal-a-song-from-marvin-gaye/
‘Blurred Lines’ Lawyer Rocks Music Industry Again
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/16/business/media/blurred-lines-lawyer-rocks-music-industry-again.html
Richard Glatzer, ‘Still Alice’ Writer and Director, Dies at 63
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Lia Van Leer, Pioneering Figure in Israeli Film Industry, Dies at 90
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Sam Simon, 59, Dies; Guided ‘The Simpsons,’ Then Shared His Profits
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Gene Patton, Gene Gene the Dancing Machine From ‘The Gong Show,’ Dies at 82
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Jenna McMahon, Co-Creator of ‘The Facts of Life’ and ‘Mama’s Family,’ Dies at 89
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Terry Pratchett, Novelist, Dies at 66
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/books/terry-pratchett-popular-fantasy-novelist-dies-at-66.html
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