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Zeppelin's back in the news


akdave

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I've read this story on a few sites today.  I know it's not a new discussion, but it appears to be going to trial now. 

 

I'm guessing a settlement will come of it, but it's at least an interesting topic.  I think there are similarities, but I'm not an attorney and I don't know how "close" a song has to be legally - I guess that's where the jury comes in.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/12/led-zeppelin-members-face-trial-in-stairway-to-heaven-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/

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Obviously a judge has decided there's merit to the lawsuit. Interested that the two bands actually toured TOGETHER for two years. Then a year or so later and "BAM" you got Stairway To Heaven. The riff is what it is and tt is basically the same between the two songs. Should be interesting.

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I've read this story on a few sites today.  I know it's not a new discussion, but it appears to be going to trial now. 

 

I'm guessing a settlement will come of it, but it's at least an interesting topic.  I think there are similarities, but I'm not an attorney and I don't know how "close" a song has to be legally - I guess that's where the jury comes in.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/12/led-zeppelin-members-face-trial-in-stairway-to-heaven-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/

 

To me:

 

Reads like George Harrison v. the Chiffon's.

 

My Sweet Lord v. He's So Fine.

 

In the end I believe the Chiffon's had the better advocate.

 

Like Harrison and the Chiffon's: All Things Must Pass.

 

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I can never get the search engine here to find anything, but somewhere there is a thread on this, or at least a thread on the top ten bands who ripped off other bands' songs.

I figured as much as this is not a new story (other than it appears to be heading to a jury trial now), I'm sure a study could be made on this throughout the last 60 years. 

 

I don't have a strong opinion either way, it just caught my eye that such a legendary band is going to be brought to a trial over this after this many years. 

 

I don't think it will matter to fans one way or another.  I think duder hit the nail on the head that they did a better job with it and that's what will matter to most.

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The way I understand it the judge just thinks he's not the best guy to decide. The opening licks have many variations, it starts similar but changes a lot pretty quick. The feel of the song may be similar in some sense but it'a a very different song to my ears. I'm sure every song every artist ever done is based on life experience and what they have heard. Zeppelin did not invent Rock/Blues music, they just made it better than anyone ever (disclaimer) I consider Zeppelin the best band ever, just imo.

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I've read this story on a few sites today. I know it's not a new discussion, but it appears to be going to trial now.

I'm guessing a settlement will come of it, but it's at least an interesting topic. I think there are similarities, but I'm not an attorney and I don't know how "close" a song has to be legally - I guess that's where the jury comes in.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/12/led-zeppelin-members-face-trial-in-stairway-to-heaven-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/

It is fascinating.

Thicke had to pay Marvin Gaye estate over 7 million and split future royalties.

StH has hade something like 600 million. Not sure how much of that is publishing royalties, which Spirit wiuld be entitled to some portion of if they prevail.

If you are interested in these types of cases you should check this place out.

http://mcir.usc.edu/purpose/Pages/default.html

The actual cases, what the courts look at, how they decide what the split should be, etc.

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