Attorney's Fees Denied to Prevailing Gaye Family in Blurred Lines Case

Williams v. Bridgeport Music, No. CV13-6004 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 12, 2016).

After winning a trial, the Gaye Family was denied its application for attorney's fees under section 505 the Copyright Act.  Also, the taxable costs requested by the Gaye Family, as the prevailing party, were reduced.  As to attorney's fees, the Court underwent an analysis of the "Fogerty" & "Lieb" factors, and found that the factors did not weigh in favor of the Gaye Family as the prevailing party.  "Beyond the success on the merits, little else supports their position.  This case presented novel issues.  How they would be determined was not, even with hindsight, something that was clear."

No New Trial In "Blurred Lines" Case; Damages Reduced; 50% Royalty Awarded

Williams v. Bridgeport Music, No. CV13-06004 (C.D. Cal. dated July 14, 2015).

In the "Blurred Lines" copyright infringement case, Robin Thicke's motion for a new trial was denied but the amount of damages he is laible for was reduced.  Additionally, the heirs of Marvin Gaye were awarded a declaratory judgment that any past and ongoing exploitation of "Blurred Lines" constitutes copyright infringement of "Got To Give It Up."  Rather than enjoin future exploitation or impound infringing articles, the Court awarded the Gaye parties a 50% royalty of songwriting/publishing revenues from "Blurred Lines."