Led Zeppelin founders Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are facing plagiarism charges of their 1971 anthem.

An American court has ruled that there is enough evidence to warrant a court case for the legendary song 'Staircase To Heaven'.

A judge from Los Angeles has ruled that there are 'substantial' matching elements of the 1968 song 'Taurus', by the band Spirit.

"While it is true that a descending chromatic four-chord progression is a common convention that abounds in the music industry, the similarities here transcend this core structure," the judge remarked. "What remains is a subjective assessment of the 'concept and feel' of two works ... a task no more suitable for a judge than for a jury."

The original complaint was brought by the band's trustee Michael Skidmore. Skidmore's claim was Spirit's guitarist Randy Wolfe should be given writing credit on the classic Zeppelin song.

The trial is due to begin on May 10.