Led Zeppelin Copyright Trial, Round 2: Band’s Accuser Files for Appeal

Jury decided in June that “Stairway to Heaven” did not infringe on 1969 Spirit song “Taurus”

The legal saga over the iconic Led Zeppelin song “Stairway to Heaven” is going into extra innings — or extra verses, if you prefer.

The attorney for Michael Skidmore — the man who unsuccessfully sued Led Zeppelin for copyright infringement two years ago — has filed a notice of appeal in the case.

“Please take notice that Plaintiff Michael Skidmore, Trustee for the Randy Craig Wolfe Trust, hereby appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from the final judgment entered on June 23, 2016, as well as any and all interlocutory rulings, decisions, and orders that gave rise to the judgment and are merged therein,” the notice of appeal reads.

Skidmore, the trustee of the Randy Craig Wolfe Trust — named after the frontman for the band Sprit — sued Led Zeppelin in 2014, claiming that “Stairway” infringed on the 1969 Spirit song “Taurus.”

A jury in Los Angeles found in favor of Led Zeppelin in June after a two-week trial.

The jury found that, while Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant did have access to “Taurus” before writing “Stairway,” the songs are not substantially similar.

In a statement following the verdict, Page and Plant said they are glad to put the issue to rest.

“We are grateful for the jury’s conscientious service and pleased that it has ruled in our favor, putting to rest questions about the origins of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and confirming what we have known for 45 years,” the musicians said. “We appreciate our fans’ support, and look forward to putting this legal matter behind us.”

Skidmore’s attorney, Francis Malofiy, told TheWrap after the verdict was read in June that the case could be appealed.

“There are many appealable issues,” Malofiy said. “Obviously I will have to discuss with my client.”

In a statement following the verdict, Page and Plant said they are glad to put the issue to rest.

“We are grateful for the jury’s conscientious service and pleased that it has ruled in our favor, putting to rest questions about the origins of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and confirming what we have known for 45 years,” the band said. “We appreciate our fans’ support, and look forward to putting this legal matter behind us.”

Led Zeppelin’s attorneys declined to comment on the appeal when contacted by TheWrap. Malofiy has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.

 

 

Source: thewrap.com