A Los Angeles jury cleared Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of any wrongdoing in the recent "Stairway To Heaven" copyright infringement lawsuit.
The trial was based on a claim brought by Spirit guitarist Randy California's estate and members of the band by trustee Michael Skidmore that the acoustic introduction to 1971’s “Stairway” was lifted from Spirit’s 1968 instrumental, “Taurus.”
While the case is currently under appeal, Rolling Stone has posted full transcripts of testimony by Page, Plant and non-defendant John Paul Jones.
Each of the three were questioned by their own lawyer, Peter Anderson, and Skidmore’s attorney Francis Malofiy, with the purpose of determining the members exposure to Spirit, generally, and “Taurus” specifically, while detailing the creation of “Stairway.”
Music experts testified that both songs share a commonplace descending chromatic line that has "existed for hundreds of years."
A date for the appeal to be heard has yet to be announced.
“Stairway To Heaven” appeared on the UK band’s 1971 album, “Led Zeppelin IV.”
One of the best-selling albums in music history, the project went on to sell more than 37 million copies worldwide, including 23 million in the US alone.
See also:
VIDEO: Led Zeppelin preview expanded BBC Sessions package
Led Zeppelin lose fight to recoup legal fees in Stairway To Heaven trial
AUDIO: Led Zeppelin stream Communication Breakdown from expanded BBC Sessions set
Jimmy Page thanks fans for support throughout Stairway To Heaven trial
Search Led Zeppelin at hennemusic
