Led Zeppelin launch appeal for $800k Stairway legal fees

Led Zeppelin’s publishing firm have launched an appeal over $800,000 in legal costs incurred during the trial over Stairway To Heaven.

A jury found in June that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant had not plagiarised Spirit guitarist Randy California, whose composition Taurus was said to be notably similar to Led Zeppelin’s classic track.

But Judge Gary Klausner later ruled that Warner/Chappell Music were not entitled to have their costs covered by California’s estate, represented by lawyer Francis Malofiy.

Klausner said that the suit had carried enough merit to go to trial, and that there was no evidence of “nefarious motives” on Malofiy’s part.

Now Warner/Chappell have applied to have the costs ruling overturned, citing “extensive and ongoing litigation misconduct” as the reason their claim should be reconsidered.

Included in their paperwork is the argument that Malofiy commenced his lawsuit in the wrong court, and that he was responsible for over 100 sustained objections during the trial.

Malofiy launched an appeal against the plagiarism verdict in July, although the legal principles at its core are unclear, leading experts to avoid speculation on its chances of success.

Meanwhile, guitarist Page has confirmed he’ll appear on BBC2’s Later With Jools Holland during the first episode of its new season. The show will be recorded on September 13, when Page will discuss Led Zeppelin’s Complete BBC Sessions, to be released on September 16.

Led Zeppelin's lost song Sunshine Woman released

Artists

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.