Led Zeppelin won a copyright trial over “Stairway to Heaven” Thursday morning, following accusations that they copied the song “Taurus” by the American band Spirit.
Michael Skidmore began legal proceedings against the British band in 2014, claiming Led Zeppelin ripped off the 1968 song “Taurus” for their legendary 1971 song, “Stairway to Heaven.” After requesting to listen to both songs twice (reportedly with their eyes closed), the eight jury members all ruled in Led Zeppelin’s favor.
“We are grateful for the jury’s conscientious service and pleased that it has ruled in our favor, putting to rest questions about the origins of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and confirming what we have known for 45 years,” Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and Robby Plant said in a Thursday statement.
Skidmore brought forth the lawsuit as the trustee of the Spirit frontman’s trust, and sought over $40 million in damages (along with a writing credit on “Stairway” for Wolfe).
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Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com