Follow Us

Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Copyrights Entertainment and Sports Law Litigation

Kozinski Angle In 9th Circuit’s Led Zeppelin Ruling

Defendants Led Zeppelin and its music labels were the winners in the copyright decision by the Ninth Circuit over the song “Stairway to Heaven.” But the estate of songwriter Randy Wolfe (p/k/a California) wasn’t the only one who got the short end. Among the collateral damage from the ruling was a 2002 precedent written by former Chief Judge Alex Kozinski that endorsed the so-called “inverse-ratio” rule.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Defendants Led Zeppelin and its music labels were the winners in the copyright decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit over the song “Stairway to Heaven.” Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin, 16-56057 (9th Cir. 2020). The estate of songwriter Randy Wolfe (p/k/a California), guitarist for the 1960s rock group Spirit, that claimed Led Zeppelin copied his work got the short end. But the estate wasn’t the only one.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

Continue reading by getting
started with a subscription.

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT LAW.
  • 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

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe Now For Unlimited Access

Read These Next