Howard King Speaks To Los Angeles Copyright Society

The “Blurred Lines” Trial: What Just Happened, And Can It Be Fixed?

September 21, 2015

Our first meeting of the 2015-16 term features esteemed litgator Howard King, who represented Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. in one of the most notable copyright cases decided in the last year, presenting an (admittedly biased) post-mortem on what happened at trial and how it could impact future copyright litigation and practice. Among other things, Mr. King will address what the jury saw – and didn’t see – before deciding that the defendant’s song “Blurred Lines” infringed the Marvin Gaye composition “Got To Give It Up”; the difficulties of instructing a jury in a music copyright case; the use and misuse of expert witnesses and demonstrative exhibits; the unique challenges of litigating pre 1978 composition copyrights; the need for a clearer legal standard to guide in distinguishing between artistic inspiration and copying; and what is likely to happen in the case on appeal. Mr. King is managing partner of King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano and has broad experience representing individuals and companies in all facets of corporate, real estate, music and entertainment law, as well as complex business, real estate, banking, finance, copyright and trademark litigation. He has been named as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Power 100 Lawyers in Entertainment,” has been designated a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers magazine, and has been included in the Los Angeles Daily Journal’s list of “California’s Top Entertainment Lawyers.” He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Source: September 21, 2015, – http://www.copr.org/past-events