. >> influence is key and i grew up listening to people like bobby lyle quincy jones, george duke. influence is very important. >>reporter: but how much influence is too much? that's what i jury decided in los angeles last tuesday in a landmark legal case. ♪♪ >>reporter: it involves this song released in 2013 called "blurred lines" written by pharell williams and robin thicke. the family of gaye charged they were not just inspired by his work but plagarized it. they claim the hit was too similar to gaye's 1977 hit "got to give it up." >> they thought the gaye family would not have the resources or ability or wherewithal to fight this fight. they learned wrong. >>reporter: the jury sided with the gaye family awarding his heirs $7.4 million as a result of the inflingmentringement. >> any clients know in their heart they wrote that song independently. >>reporter: still the accusation is not uncommon. earlier this year singer tom petty settled out of court that sam smith's song stay with me sounded like his hit i won't back down recorded in the 1980s. in an industry where the majority