Blurred lines unblurring the issue of copyright infringement...

Sinal Govender

This is a guest post by Sinal Govender (Adams & Adams) referencing two copyright cases that have been in the headlines this week both illustrating the fine line between what is legal and what is not, when it comes to works that may have been inspired by others.  

Blurred lines unblurring the issue of copyright infringement...

"The chart topping song "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell Williams has been engulfed in a hurricane of controversy since it first hit the airwaves in 2013.  While the lyrics of the song have received most of the criticism, many music loving folk couldn't help but notice the marked resemblance to Marvin Gaye's 1977 hit "Got to Give It Up".

An LA jury has now put the issue to bed, for now, in a verdict that has ordered Thicke and Williams to collectively pay a whopping 7.4 million dollars to Gaye's family for infringing the copyright in Gaye's song, more specifically the copyright in the sheet music of the song. It remains to be seen whether or not the decision will go on appeal, as Thicke and Williams seem to maintain that their song was created independently.  Watch this space.

This decision comes hot on the heels of an allegation earlier this year that Sam Smith's grammy winning "Stay with Me" copied aspects from Tom Petty's "I Won’t Back Down".  Although Smith claimed that the similarity was a complete musical coincidence, Petty and co-writer Jeff Lynne were subsequently given partial credit for Smith's song in a settlement agreement that escaped the courts, but not the media.

So what does this mean in a South African context?  One of the other Leos previously reported on something similar when Gavin Rajah was accused of copying a design by Zunaid Murad last year (read her take on it here). Indeed, these accusations appear to follow Rajah who just this week has also borne the brunt of similar criticism.  

Essentially, our courts have held that copyright infringement involves a two stage inquiry: not only must there be an objective measure of similarity between the works, but a causal connection between the two needs to be established as well.

In everyday speak, two works, even strikingly similar, could still enjoy copyright protection without necessarily infringing on the other.  What sets Smith apart from Thicke and Williams may be that Smith claimed never to have heard of Petty's song before creating his own, and this was never questioned.  (Although it's easier not to question things while being comforted by the royalties that resulted from the agreement). On the other hand, while Thicke and Williams claim to have created their work independently, evidence emerged during their trial that saw both of them admitting to drawing inspiration from Gaye.  Sinking nails into his proverbial coffin, Thicke was even quoted as admitting that Gaye's song was one of his favourites and that he and Williams "should write a song with the same groove".

Naturally, the more two works have in common, the less likely a court, or anyone else, is going to believe that they were created completely independently of each other.  An exception to this may be the age old example of photographers taking photos of iconic locations, which are available to all, such as THE mountain in the fair Cape.

Copyright is a fundamental tool to any creative mind, especially those in the fashion and entertainment industries: it does not require any formal registration before it can be enforced, and it can therefore be a vital tool in protecting your IP if you know how to handle it correctly.  A simple, but effective, piece of advice is to keep as clear of a record of your creative process as possible and to obtain permission from anyone inspiring that process, if at all in doubt.

This writer is grateful not to be in a position to ultimately decide on whether any foul play has taken place in the contexts set out above.  Musos will always have muses, but they should be careful not to tread on any copyright protected toes. After all, there are certainly better things on which to spend 7.4 million dollars."

Incidentally, the fine line between illegal copying and inspirational works will be the basis for discussion tonight on CNBCAfrica at 18h30 where this Afro Leo will be joining a panel including  Kyle Boshoff of African Fashion International.

If you would like to submit a guest post to Afro-IP or be considered as a guest blogger, please contact us here.