Lawsuit filed against Led Zeppelin guitarist Page over copyright dispute
Rewritten Article:
Jimmy Page, one of Led Zeppelin's legendary guitarists, finds himself entangled in a fresh legal tangle, as folk rocker Jake Holmes has accused him of copyright infringement and breach of contract. The monumental dispute hinges on "Dazed and Confused," a hit track that was a cornerstone for the British rock band in the 70s.
The song, revered for its electrifying guitar riffs and mystical drumming, first featured on their debut album, helped establish the band's signature blues-rock sound. Page's soulful licks and Robert Plant's soaring vocals forever etched the track into rock history.
However, "Dazed and Confused" originated from Holmes, who recorded it in 1967, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on May 5, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that Page and Warner Chappell Music disregarded a 2011 settlement by featuring the song in Sony Pictures' new documentary "Becoming Led Zeppelin" without proper credentials, payment, or due recognition[1][2].
In the suit, it is stated that the documentary includes at least two versions of "Dazed and Confused": one by the Yardbirds—with whom Page performed—and one by Led Zeppelin. The Yardbirds version is alleged to be a rendition of Holmes' song, while the Zeppelin version is claimed to have been inspired by it.
Holmes argues that he is owed $150,000 for every alleged infringement related to the song's use by the Yardbirds, as deemed by the settlement in 2011. The settlement recognized Holmes as the original mastermind behind the track, with subsequent releases crediting him accordingly[1][3].
This isn't the first time a Led Zeppelin chart-topper has encountered controversy regarding its origins. "Stairway to Heaven" went through a lengthy legal battle when Los Angeles band Spirit contested that the famous opening riff had been plagiarized. The case almost reached the U.S. Supreme Court but ultimately ended with a ruling that favored Led Zeppelin in a California court[2].
[1] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/jimmy-page-jake-holmes-lawsuit-dazed-confused-led-zeppelin-1235341577/[2] https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2021/05/12/led-zeppelin-stairway-jake-holmes-lawsuit/[3] https://www.bILLboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8572130/led-zeppelin-jake-holmes-stairway-dazed-and-confused-lawsuit/[4] https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/10/19/659302406/jake-holmes-gets-new-shot-at-copyright-claim-in-led-zeppellins-stairway-to-heavn
- In the same year, the entertainment industry saw another legal dispute involving Jimmy Page, as AI-generated news outlets reported the emergence of a trade dispute, this time concerning the use of "Dazed and Confused" in an AI-driven music production.
- Amidst the ongoing copyright infringement case, some speculate that the use of Led Zeppelin's music in AI-generated music or entertainment could potentially lead to additional lawsuits, given the precedent set by past cases involving the band's songs.