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by Causes | 8.20.19

What’s the story?

Led Zeppelin have received the support of the Trump administration as they head back to court over a “Stairway to Heaven” copyright dispute.
Spirit accused Led Zeppelin of plagiarizing their 1967 track “Taurus” for the opening passage of Zeppelin’s 1971 opus “Stairway to Heaven.”
Listen to a comparison here:

The estate of late Spirit guitarist Randy Wolfe – who went by Randy California – alleged that Led Zeppelin violated his copyright by appropriating his song’s \"distinct plucked guitar line and melody.\" Zeppelin won the case in 2016, but it was reopened as the jury did not hear both recordings in court.
The Justice Department filed a friend of court brief in support of Led Zeppelin, stating that the trial judge in 2016 was correct in his decision that “Stairway” did not violate copyright laws.
\nLoudwire summarized the amicus brief:

“Congress changed the federal copyright law in 1972 to include protection for sound recordings, but because ‘Taurus’ was written in 1967 prior to the law change, its sheet music is the only aspect protected by law. The [DOJ] adds that in this case, Led Zeppelin should be safe, since the guitar scales of the two songs are not absolutely identical.”

From the DOJ's amicus brief:

“There should be no serious dispute that the passages of 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Taurus' that are at issue here are not virtually identical. At a minimum, the notes and rhythm are not all, or even mostly, the same.”

What do you think?

Do you back Led Zeppelin in the 'Stairway to Heaven' copyright case? Should the DOJ have weighed in? Does Congress need to change copyright laws? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

-Josh Herman

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