The Not Old Better Show speaks extensively on the Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” copyright trial: interview with music entertainment attorney, Lawrence Iser
Led Zeppelin on trial for chord theft: who owns the chords? The jury has declared that Led Zeppelin did not steal riff for “Stairway to Heaven.”
The Not Old Better Show (available on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud, Stitcher Radio, Libsyn and many other locations) interviewed music and entertainment attorney, Lawrence Iser, in conjunction with the Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” copyright trial. Attorney Larry Iser, Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert, is not connected with the Led Zeppelin case, but specializes in the area of intellectual property law, and routinely advises his clients on matters concerning copyright, fair-use, clearances, and right of publicity. Larry Iser has represented such well known entertainers as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills & Nash, and many others in copyright cases.
“Stairway to Heaven” is considered one of the most widely heard compositions in rock history and is the signature song of Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page said the song “crystallized the essence of the band.” Well, the band was accused of stealing the opening chords for their 1971 hit from another song. That song, the instrumental “Taurus,” by the band Spirit, was written in 1967.
While copyright legal cases are in abundance recently, and seem to be confusing, according to attorney Iser, the “Stairway to Heaven” case is a little different that the Marvin Gaye, Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams lawsuit over the song “Blurred Lines.” The composition of “Stairway to Heaven” includes the melody and the chord progressions heard in the first few notes of “Taurus.” According to Iser, Led Zeppelin’s case likely focuses on the fact that the song is rooted in musical traditions that go back thousands of years to Italian classical music. The songs are similar because Spirit shared those musical touchstones, Led Zeppelin’s lawyers claim.
Keep reading
