Hundreds of musicians have filed a brief in a US court to express concern about the Blurred Lines copyright ruling last year.

Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke and T.I. have received support from more than 200 artists in their appeal in the ongoing legal dispute.

Powerhouse names in music such as R. Kelly, Hall & Oates’ John Oates, Jennifer Hudson Hans Zimmer and members of such bands as the Black Crowes, Linkin Park and Three 6 Mafia have backed their cause.

In the brief filed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, the musicians expressed concern about the ruling last year in a case brought by the children of Marvin Gaye.

His children sued for copyright infringement claiming Blurred Lines copied Gaye’s hit Got to Give it Up.

The musicians said the ruling could have “adverse impact on their own creativity, on the creativity of future artists, and on the music industry in general.”

“Such a result, if allowed to stand, is very dangerous to the music community, is certain to stifle future creativity, and ultimately does a disservice to past songwriters as well,” the brief stated.

“One can only imagine what our music would have sounded like if David Bowie would have been afraid to draw from Shirley Bassie, or if the Beatles would have been afraid to draw from Chuck Berry, or if Elton John would have been afraid to draw from the Beatles, or if Elvis Presley would have been afraid to draw from his many influences.”

Gaye’s descendants won a $US7.4 million ($A9.8 million) verdict in March last year, which a judge reduced to $US5.3 million ($A7.0 million).

—with AAP