People who have listened to Spirit’s “Taurus” and hear a guitar riff that sounds like “Stairway to Heaven” could think Led Zeppelin is going to be in trouble at a their upcoming copyright trial.
But the judge has agreed with Led Zeppelin that the only recordings a jury’s ears should here are the ones transcribed from the copyrighted sheet music. The other music Spirit’s lawyers wanted to play aren’t protected.
The judge also rejected all of Sprit’s experts because these musicologists prepared their reports and opinions from sound recordings that aren’t protected.
And… the band has gotten the judge to bar any testimony on how Led Zeppelin has a history of plagiarism. The jury also won’t hear about the wealth of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Nor will jurors be able to consider how Led Zeppelin bandmembers used drugs and alcohol.
The trial starts on May 10.
