Robin Thicke/Pharrell Williams vs Marvin Gaye
"Blurred Lines" was one of the biggest hits during 2013. Millions of copies were sold, with millions of youtube views. However many people, including Marvin Gayes family, took notice that the track sounded much like Marvin Gayes 1977 hit, "Got to Give it Up. The family took Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to court for copyright infringement. Williams was responsible for the creation of the track. In the end, the Jury found Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams guilty of copyright infringement which caused them to pay $7.4m to Marvin Gayes family.
"Copyright Infringement is the use of works protected by copyright law without permission, infringing certain exclusive rights, granted to the copyright holder, such as the right to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, or to make derivative works. "
In my opinion, I don't think that the Gaye family should have targeted Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams for Blurred Lines. For many years, and for years to come music has been sampled some even without clearance. Im not promoting copyright infringement but its nothing new. New music is adapted from old music. At the same time, however they should received clearance and permission to sample the song whether directly or indirectly. This controversy increased views and sales of both songs which can be a both good and bad depending on the parties involved.
Blurred Lines Trial
File-Sharing (Piracy)
Sweden vs Pirate Bay
In this case, the well known site Pirate Bay was shut down due to allowing the use of file-sharing copyrighted material without purchase. This was both a criminal case and a civil copyright action brought together by major record labels, movie studios, and others of the like. Piracy is something that goes on in many countries, it just happens to be Sweden that was targeted this time.
"Piracy is the unauthorized use or reproduction of another's work".
To me this was a good thing to do because file-sharing robs companies of their products. Instead of a consumer going to a company to purchase something they instead go to file-sharing sites and download it for free. This type of issue has been going on for a long time, and I believe it is something that would die down easily. With the abundance of internet driven technology, this is an issue that may arise from time to time.
Sweden vs Pirate Bay
Payment of Copyrighted Material
Lil Wayne vs Birdman
In this case Lil Wayne is suing Birdman (Cash Money) $51 million for unpaid royalties and agreed upon monetary contracts which include quarterly payments. Wayne is also trying to end himself and his company (Young Money) from their relationship with Cash Money. This is still a pending case.
In my opinion, I really don't understand what the two are arguing about. They have worked together for a long time and became celebrities with each others help. However, as a owner of a company Birdman should live up to his side of the contract and make sure his dues are paid respectively.
Lil Wayne vs Birdman
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