Led Zeppelin cleared of plagiarism in Stairway to Heaven plagiarism case

It said the riff Led Zeppelin was accused of taking from Spirit’s 1967 song Taurus “was not intrinsically similar” to Stairway’s opening.

Led Zeppelin did not plagiarise the opening chords of the rock epic Stairway to Heaven from the US band Spirit, a Los Angeles jury has found.

Led Zeppelin bandmates, singer Robert Plant, left, and guitarist Jimmy Page in a 1985 concert. During the trial, defence lawyers argued that the chord progression in question was very common and had been in use for more than 300 years. (AP)

It said the riff Led Zeppelin was accused of taking from Spirit’s 1967 song Taurus “was not intrinsically similar” to Stairway’s opening, reported BBC online.

Janet Wolfe holds a photo of her brother Randy Wolfe, better known as Randy California, a member of the band Sprit outside federal court, Thursday, June 23, 2016 in Los Angeles. (AP)

But it said Zeppelin singer Robert Plant had access to Taurus. Stairway to Heaven was released in 1971.

The case was brought on behalf of Spirit’s late guitarist, Randy Wolfe.

During the trial, defence lawyers argued that the chord progression in question was very common and had been in use for more than 300 years.

Read: Stairway to court- Led Zeppelin being sued for copying riff in hit rock classic

The prosecution had argued Zeppelin became familiar with Spirit’s song after the two bands played on the same bill in Plant’s hometown at a club in the English city of Birmingham in 1970.

Spirit’s bassist Mark Andes testified last week he met Plant at the show and played snooker with him afterwards.

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