The Led Zeppelin 'Stairway to Heaven' trial has been put to the jury in a California court room. Zeppelin are being sued for alleged copyright infringement of the 1968 track 'Taurus' by Spirit.
Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant have all given evidence in the case which was brought forward by a trustee for the estate of deceased Spirit songwriter and guitarist, Randy California a.k.a, Randy Wolfe. Estate trustee Michael Skidmore is seeking $40 million for copyright damages as well as royalties for the track.
He claims that Page lifted to opening descending minor riff from Spirit's 'Taurus' and used it for Led Zeppelin's iconic track 'Stairway to Heaven'. He argues Page and other Zeppelin members would have heard the track at a number of shows where the two bands performed together in the 1960's.
Eight jurors will now decide if Page and Plant are guilt of copyright infringement. John Paul Jones has only given evidence in the case and is not a defendant. Skidmore is seeking for Wolfe to be given one thirds creator rights and credit as well as the monetary payout.
As past of their defence Led Zeppelin have brought forward 65 other songs which sound like both 'Tauros' and 'Stairway to Heaven' including the track 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' from the classic musical Mary Poppins.