Video: PolAlvarezBalague
This has been the year of copyright infringement lawsuits, especially for songwriting. According to reports, attorney representation for the band Spirit are accusing Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven” intro of sounding very similar to their 1968 instrumental track titled “Taurus.”
Often referred to as one of the greatest rock songs of all time, “Stairway to Heaven” was released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band’s untitled fourth studio album.
Bloomberg Businessweek reported that a lawyer representing Spirit guitarist Randy California, who is no longer alive, said he will file a copyright infringement lawsuit and try to block the re-release of a Led Zeppelin album.
The goal is to give California a writing credit on “Stairway to Heaven,” said Francis Alexander Malofiy, one of the lawyers, according to the Bloomberg Businessweek article. It turns out that Spirit and Led Zeppelin performed together in the late 60’s. So why file a lawsuit now? Supposedly, there was not enough money until now to pay the lawyers.
It’s certainly causing an uproar in the music world. Listen to the songs back to back and let us know what you think…
