'Blurred Lines' verdict likely to alter music business.

• Author: McCartney, Anthony
• Position: Living

Byline: Anthony McCartney

LOS ANGELES -- A verdict saying Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke copied Marvin Gaye's music to create their hit song "Blurred Lines'' could ripple across the music industry, potentially changing how artists work and opening the door to new copyright claims.

An eight-person jury determined Tuesday that Williams and Thicke copied elements of Gaye's 1977 hit "Got to Give It Up'' and ordered the pair to pay nearly $7.4 million to the late R&B legend's three children.

Millions more in potential future profits for "Blurred Lines'' are now also at stake.

The Gaye family will seek an injunction against the song, which will give them leverage to negotiate for royalties and other concessions such as songwriting credit, although Tuesday's verdict could face years of appeals.

While the verdict affects Thicke and Williams' finances in the short term, artists and music industry lawyers will likely face new constraints as they...