Account

Sign in to access your account and subscription

<b><i>Suing Led Zeppelin</b></i> Can a Copyright Infringement Plaintiff Rewrite Rock and Roll History?

This article examines the allegations of Spirit that Led Zeppelin copied the introductory descending guitar figure in "Stairway to Heaven" from its 1968 instrumental, explains why the suit is not stale despite being brought 42 years after the release of "Stairway," and discusses the challenges that the plaintiff must overcome if he is to prevail in the litigation.

27 minute read August 02, 2014 at 12:00 AM
By
Christopher P. Bussert and James A. Trigg
<b><i>Suing Led Zeppelin</b></i> Can a Copyright Infringement Plaintiff Rewrite Rock and Roll History?

In one of the many memorable scenes from the film Wayne's World , Wayne tests guitars in a music store. Laying his hands on a beautiful white Fender Stratocaster ' “Excalibur” he calls it ' Wayne begins to gently pluck a somber, minor-key melody.

This premium content is locked for LawJournalNewsletters subscribers only

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN LawJournalNewsletters

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

Already have an account? Sign In Now

For enterprise-wide or corporate access, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or call 1-877-256-2473.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2026 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Continue Reading

The combination of increasing operating costs and uncertain government reimbursement funding continues to place health care providers under financial pressure, and in many cases, financial distress. Given the importance of Medicare/Medicaid funding of claims under provider agreements with the federal government, how courts interpret and apply the interplay between the Bankruptcy Code and Medicare Program Act determines the disposition of hundreds of millions of dollars of claims for reimbursement that support the health care system.

April 30, 2026

As AI becomes embedded in everyday business and legal operations, organizations are confronting a new expectation: simply disclosing AI use is no longer enough. A critical shift is taking place in the legal industry: transparency is no longer just about disclosure; it’s about comprehension.

April 30, 2026