Led Zeppelin cleared of plagiarism with Stairway to Heaven
The Los Angeles jury has ruled that classic rock band LED ZEPPELIN did not plagiarise the intro of Stairway to Heaven from SPIRIT song, Taurus.
The decision came on the second day of deliberations at a Los Angeles courtroom, Judge Gary Klausner is reported to have heard heated closing arguments from lawyers representing both parties.
LED ZEPPELIN were accused of copying SPIRIT‘s Taurus, which was released three years prior to one of the bands biggest hits, Stairway to Heaven. The case was focused on the chord sequence at the intro of the ZEPPELIN song.
The jury ruled today that the SPIRIT track “was not intrinsically similar” to the intro of Stairway to Heaven.
Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, both of whom were in court throughout the proceedings said in a statement:
“We are grateful for the jury’s conscientious service and pleased that it has ruled in our favour, putting to rest questions about the origins of Stairway To Heaven and confirming what we have known for 45 years. We appreciate our fans’ support and look forward to putting this legal matter behind us.”
Record label Warner added: “At Warner Music Group, supporting our artists and protecting their creative freedom is paramount. We are pleased that the jury found in favour of Led Zeppelin, reaffirming the true origins of Stairway To Heaven.
“Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest bands in history, and Jimmy Page and Robert Plant are peerless songwriters who created many of rock’s most influential and enduring songs.”
You can listen to the two tracks below:
