Led Zeppelin 'Stairway To Heaven' copyright case finally lodged

Read the bizarre claim here

Usher: The star was accused of plagiarism by Ernest Lee Straughter, who said that Usher's 2004 hit 'Burn' is ripping off Straughter's 1998 song 'Reasons'. Straughter went on to say that Usher would have had access to the song through Warren G, who had collaborated with both Straughter and Usher. However, Usher's camp denied all knowledge of the song.

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Wednesday 4th June 2014 by Andrew Trendell | Photos by WENN

Tags: Led Zeppelin

After decades in the making, a copyright claim against Led Zeppelin from the band Spirit for copying the song 'Taurus' has finally been lodged. Compare the two tracks and read segments from the unusual claim below.

According to Business Insider, the claim bizarrely uses the typeface from the Led Zeppelin IV album, and is called 'The Falsification of Rock N' Roll History'.

After 43 years of trying, the heirs of songwriter Randy Craig Wolfe from Spirit have finally lodged a copyright infringement lawsuit against Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and other Led Zeppelin parties over the 1971 classic 'Stairway to Heaven'.

The claim argues that Page stole the guitar part from Wolfe - a teen guitar sensation discovered by Jimi Hendrix at the age of 15. In 1968, he and the band Spirit released an album featuring the instrumental track 'Spirit - the same year they toured with Led Zeppelin.

"Little did anyone know at the time, 17-year old Randy had created what would become some of the most famous guitar work in the history of music," reads the claim. "Jimmy Page’s use of the Etherwave-Theremin and other psychedelic-type audio effects which helped give Led Zeppelin its distinctive sound - especially prominent in 'Whole Lotta Love' - was inspired by seeing California effectively use these types of audio-enhancing effects on tour."

The claim continues: "Any reasonable observer, when comparing 'Taurus' and 'Stairway to Heaven,' must conclude that — at the very least — significant portions of the songs are nearly identical."

Adding that "Led Zeppelin is undeniably one of the greatest bands in history, and their musical talent is boundless," they also jibe "this is hardly the first time Zeppelin has been accused of lifting their most famous songs."

They go on to add a list of 17 tracks that they also believed Led Zep plagarised, including 'Dazed and Confused', 'Whole Lotta Love' and 'Since I’ve Been Loving You'.

Listen to 'Taurus' by Spirit below

Listen to 'Stairway To Heaven' by Led Zeppelin below

Wolfe's heirs are seeking statutory damages, defendants' profits, punitive damages and that Wolfe be credited as a songwriterwriter of 'Stairway to Heaven' - addin that funds from the lawsuit will go into a trust to buy musical instruments for needy children.

Guitarist Jimmy Page has slammed the claims as 'ridiculous'.

Below: You stole my song! Stars accused of music theft