Final answer:
Marvin Gaye, with Stevie Wonder, was influential in seeking creative autonomy over their music, diverging from Motown's control. Gaye's self-produced 1971 album 'What's Going On' addressed societal issues and pioneered this artistic independence. His family later won a significant copyright infringement lawsuit.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marvin Gaye was one of the first Motown artists (along with Stevie Wonder) to challenge the label's control over their music, seeking creative autonomy and producing their own albums. This artistic independence was a significant departure from the standard practice at Motown, where the label typically exercised tight control over the production process.
Gaye broke new ground with his 1971 album What's Going On, which he produced himself, and which addressed social issues of the time. This move set a precedent for other artists yearning for more control over their artistic direction.
Copyright infringement is a serious issue in the music industry, often leading to costly lawsuits. For example, the family of Marvin Gaye won a lawsuit alleging that Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke plagiarized one of Gaye's songs, resulting in over 5 million dollars in damages awarded to Gaye's family. This case underscores the value of protecting artistic intellectual property in the music business.