The three musicians behind Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines' track have initiated legal action against Marvin Gaye's family and Bridgeport Music over claims the song is a product of plagiarism.

Gaye's family reportedly believe that the song bears too much similarity to the soul singer's 'Got to Give it Up'.

Bridgeport Music meanwhile are also involved and are said to allege that 'Blurred Lines' sounds similar to Funkadelic's 'Sexy Ways'.

Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I. have now launched legal action in light of the plagiarism claims, stating that 'Blurred Lines' is merely influenced by a general sound, not particular songs.

Court papers read: "Plaintiffs, who have the utmost respect for and admiration of Marvin Gaye, Funkadelic and their musical legacies, reluctantly file this action in the face of multiple adverse claims from alleged successors in interest to those artists. "

They continue: "Gaye defendants are claiming ownership of an entire genre, as opposed to a specific work. But there are no similarities between plaintiffs' composition and those the claimants allege they own, other than commonplace musical elements. Plaintiffs created a hit and did it without copying anyone else's composition. Being reminiscent of a 'sound' is not copyright infringement. The intent in producing Blurred Lines was to evoke an era."