• 5 Songs You Didn't Know Violated Copyright: Johnny Cash, Radiohead and More

    Music samples and their legality has been a hot-button issue in music news this year: First, Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were forced to pay the estate of Marvin Gaye over similarities between their smash hit "Blurred Lines" and his "Got To Give It Up," and now Jay Z and Timbaland will head to court to establish whether they properly licensed an Egyptian music sample found on "Big Pimpin'." Although courts have seen more action from those whose copyrights have been infringed recently, it's hardly a new phenomenon. Here are five hits from years past that were busted for being a little too close to another song for comfort. It's important to note just little listeners today remember the lawsuits.

  • Big Pimpin' Finally Gets Trial Date

    Jay Z, Timbaland and other representatives of various music agencies will finally come to court to comment on one of the longest-running lawsuits in the United States, questioning the use of a sample in the single "Big Pimpin'." The emcee and the producer will comment at a trial scheduled to begin in October after more than 16 years of legal wrangling.

  • Marvin Gaye's Family to Sue 'Empire', Lee Daniels for Stealing Their Idea

    Marvin Gaye's family is getting litigious again, and this time they're coming after the smash FOX hit series Empire. After successfully suing Robin Thicke and Pharrell over similarities between "Blurred Lines" and the Gaye hit "Got to Give It Up," Marvin Gaye III is now claiming that he trademarked a show similar to Empire, and creator Lee Daniels stole his vision.

  • Dr. Luke to Face Lawsuit for Jessie J 'Price Tag' Breakbeat

    Dr. Luke is the latest big name to be taken to court over similarities in music, as his beat for Jessie J's "Price Tag" has been compared to another copyrighted song, much like how Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams ended up on the wrong side of a $7.2 million payout to the Marvin Gaye estate earlier this year.

  • Robin Thicke, Nicki Minaj Team up For New Single "Back Together" [LISTEN]

    Amid many rumors floating around the web this week suggesting that a newly divorced Robin Thicke was engaged and had popped the question to his 20-year-old girlfriend of eight months, April Love Geary, the "Blurred Lines" crooner insists that couldn't be further from the truth. However, he did propose that fans direct the misplaced attention to his new single with Nicki Minaj, "Back Together".

  • Jerry Garcia is the Focus of New Video-Editing Platform, Fan Contest

    Musicians often receive tributes for the talent they've shared with the world. Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead aqauired endless honors with a wax figure, a Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavor and a statue of his right hand, chubby middle finger and all. With the help of his daughter, Trixie Garcia, the guitarist has inspired a fresh editing filter via video platform Magisto.

  • Electric Wizard's Acclaimed 'Time To Die' Pulled Due to Lawsuit

    Metal fans who haven't quite caught up with the most well-regarded albums in the genre from 2014 might want to do so quickly, as soon Electric Wizard's acclaimed album Time To Die will soon be gone from shelves due to a legal dispute within the band. Spinefarm, the label carrying the album-which appeared on many "best of" lists at the end of last year-has agreed to pull albums from shelves, including from digital outlets such as iTunes, until the matter has been settled.

  • Joe Jackson, Murry Wilson, Marvin Gaye Sr. and Other Awful Music Parents

    Today marks the 50th anniversary of The Beach Boys' "Help Me Rhonda" reaching no. 1 on the Billboard charts. Although the song is of course a favorite of Boys fans, it's noted by more engaged followers of the group for its famous recording session. During the recording of the vocals, the father of Brian Wilson and the rest of the Wilson brothers, Murry Wilson, burst into the studio to lambast the group for what he perceived to be a lack of enthusiasm. The reel kept rolling as frontman Brian tried to calm his father down, and now copies of that version are coveted by those in-the-know. Murry was one of the most notorious parents in music history, working on his sons' behalf as a manager and coproducer, but ultimately making their lives worse because of it. He manipulated his children and reportedly hit Brian upside the head with a 2x4, causing the legendary musician to lose his hearing on that side of his head. Needless to say, many have blamed Brian's self-destructive habits and unhealthy obsession with music on Murry's callous handling. Here are five other notorious parents in the music industry.

  • Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams Push for 'Blurred Lines' Retrial

    Attorneys for Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams are pushing for a retrial in the case of "Blurred Lines" and its similarities to Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up." The original trial wrapped up during March, resulting in more than $7.4 million in payouts for the plaintiffs. Now the duo is suggesting to U.S. District Judge John Krandstadt that they should be given another shot in a courtroom due to errors in jury instruction and "improper testimony" from a musicologist.
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