Worked for years in music biz -- saw numerous cases of this level of "copying" -- the groove, a similar bass line etc -- this was never, ever enough to sue much less win.

The standard in my mind for actual musical theft is George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" vs Spector's "He's So Fine" -- a clear rip-off, chords, melody, both verse and chorus. But Lines vs Gaye, it's just not enough.

The jury must be tone deaf.

People _hate_ the song. Since it came out feminists have attacked it as a "date-rape anthem"[0] and Robin Thicke has become the poster boy for everything wrong with world.

It would be a pretty big coincidence if this copyright case and the level of hate the song has received have nothing to do with each other. The feminists I know are giddy about this.

[0] - I heard that, looked up the lyrics and immediately dismissed it.

You could at least explain why you're downvoting? Is it

  * Suggesting this is a fishy case of copyright infringement?  
  * Pointing out a powerful political group has been attacking the song since it came out? 
  * Disagreeing with their half-baked critique of the song?
  * Or maybe because I noticed that they're now celebrating the verdict?

This is a discussion board after all.

Probably because it's speculation with no tangible proof behind it, and not even a plausible mechanism for the connection. Is the judge a militant feminist or something? How would these two things even relate to each other?

Now we need tangible proof? Now somebody speculating on the internet is unacceptable?

When Robin Thicke was attacked for penning a "date-rape anthem" were you the voice of reason in that conversation encouraging people to actually look up the lyrics and act like adults?

Yeah, I'm looking for a reason this verdict came out because the case for actual copyright infringement is really weak. http://flavorwire.com/508795/heres-why-the-blurred-lines-cop...

Related, do you think the public perception of 2 Live Crew had nothing to do with them losing their case and having to go all the way to the Supreme Court[0]? Justice isn't blind, the law generally doesn't favor pariahs and social outcasts. All it would take to turn the jury against Thicke would be one or two jurors who halfway through the trial remembered it's "that date-rapey song". I don't think that's very far-fetched.

I have no idea what the judge's personal politics are beyond knowing that Obama appointed him which means he probably leans left. Overall it's been a pretty weird case[1].

[0] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell_v._Acuff-Rose_Music,_I.... [1] - http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/marvin-gaye-s...

I listened to both before you did.

I'LL SEE YOU IN COURT, YOU COPYING SCUM.

Hey I wrote a sentence once with the same feel of yours, MY LAWYER WILL CALL YOUR LAWYER