Led Zeppelin classic 'Stairway to Heaven' to be subject of copyright trial

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Led Zeppelin classic 'Stairway to Heaven' to be subject of copyright trial

The Associated Press Published Monday, April 11, 2016 7:06PM EDT Last Updated Monday, April 11, 2016 7:56PM EDT

In this Oct. 9, 2012 file photo, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, left, and singer Robert Plant appear at a press conference. A federal judge in Los Angeles has ruled that a copyright infringement lawsuit over the Led Zeppelin song "Stairway to Heaven" should be decided at trial. (The Associated Press)

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LOS ANGELES - A judge says a trial is needed to determine if Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" copies its opening notes from a song by the rock band Spirit.

U.S District Judge R. Gary Klausner ruled Friday that lawyers for the estate of late Spirit guitarist Randy Wolfe had shown enough evidence to support a case that "Stairway to Heaven" copies music from the Spirit song "Taurus."

"Taurus" was written in either 1966 or 1967, years before Led Zeppelin released "Stairway to Heaven" in 1971. Klausner wrote that while the songs have key differences, lawyers for Wolfe's trustee may be able to prove they are substantially similar.

Led Zeppelin and Spirit performed at some concerts and festivals together, but not on the same stage.

A trial is scheduled for May 10 in Los Angeles.