Led Zeppelin “Stairway” Case Heading Back To Court
June 11, 2019 8:25AM CDT
- Even though a Los Angeles jury ruled in 2016 that Led Zeppelin did not plagiarize a piece of another song to create “Stairway To Heaven,” it seems the matter is still not settled.
- Last fall, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously agreed to rehear the case, claiming that the original trial judge committed errors.
- On Monday, an 11-judge panel said it will review that second ruling, looking at whether sound should be factored in a copyright decision, rather than just the sheet music.
- Back in 2014, the estate for guitarist Randy Wolfe claimed that Zep ripped off the opening to Spirit’s song “Taurus” when writing the 1971 classic rock epic.
- Do you hear any similarities between the two songs? How would you rule if on this jury?
