Led Zeppelin have been told they can settle the “Stairway To Heaven” lawsuit for a $1.
The case was brought against the band by lawyer Francis Malofiy on behalf of Michael Skidmore, administrator of the trust of the late Randy Wolfe, aka Spirit’s Randy California.
Malofiy stated that California should be given a writing credit on the track as it resembles Spirit’s 1968 song “Taurus”.
Zeppelin and Spirit toured together in 1968 and 1969.
According to Bloomberg News, the $1 offer would come at a bigger price: Randy California would need a writing credit on the track as well as a share in its future profits. “It’s always been about credit where credit is due,” said Malofiy.
The case cites a 2008 agreement that Page and Plant made with Warner/Chappell Music, where they receive $60m over 10 years for the company’s right to use “Stairway To Heaven” and other songs.
Malofiy has requested at least two thirds of that amount should be allocated to the infringing period – which adds up to $40m.
Skidmore has said any windfall would support the Randy California Project, which supplies musical instruments and lessons to students at low-income schools in California.
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