Do you think Led Zeppelin plagiarised the Stairway To Heaven riff?

US court rejects band’s plea to dismiss lawsuit brought by Spirit band’s lawyer demanding writing credit on song.

Jimmy Page (second left) previously labelled claims that Led Zeppelin plagiarised the song as “ridiculous”.
Jimmy Page (second left) previously labelled claims that Led Zeppelin plagiarised the song as “ridiculous”.

Led Zeppelin’s efforts to have a court case concerning claims that the band plagiarised the familiar introductory riff of “Stairway To Heaven” dismissed, have been rejected by a judge in America.

The case was brought against the band by lawyer Francis Malofiy, stating that his client – the late Spirit guitarist Randy California – should be given a writing credit on the track as it resembles Spirit’s 1968 song “Taurus”.

The two bands had toured together in 1968 and 1969.

Billboard reports that the lawyer working for Led Zeppelin challenged the suit, saying Pennsylvania courts had no jurisdiction in the matter.

“What happened to Randy California and Spirit is wrong. Led Zeppelin needs to do the right thing and give credit where credit is due. Randy California deserves a writing credit for ‘Stairway To Heaven’ and to take his place as an author of rock’s greatest song,” the plaintiffs said in their complaint.

District Court Judge Juan Sanchez denied the motion to dismiss without prejudice, but lawyers working for Led Zeppelin can appeal again.

Jimmy Page previously labelled claims that Led Zeppelin plagiarised the song as “ridiculous”.