Jimmy Page, Sony Pictures sued by songwriter over Led Zeppelin song
May 5 (Reuters) – Songwriter Jake Holmes sued former Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds guitarist Jimmy Page, music publisher Warner Chappell (WMG.O), opens new tab and film studio Sony Pictures (6758.T), opens new tab in California federal court on Monday for allegedly violating his rights in the song “Dazed and Confused.”
Holmes said in the complaint, opens new tab that Page and Warner Chappell broke a settlement agreement by releasing new early live recordings of the song and featuring it in Sony Pictures’ documentary “Becoming Led Zeppelin” without paying or crediting him.
Holmes accused Page of copyright infringement and breach of contract. Spokespeople for Warner and Sony Pictures did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the complaint.
Holmes’ attorney Daniel Johnson declined to comment.
Holmes, a singer-songwriter and prominent ad jingle creator, wrote “Dazed and Confused” in 1967. Page’s band the Yardbirds reworked it later that year, and his next band Led Zeppelin featured it on their debut album in 1969.
Holmes sued Page for copyright infringement in 2010 over Page’s versions of the song. The dispute was settled outside of court in 2011.
The new lawsuit said that Page has since released several archival Yardbirds live versions of “Dazed and Confused” that only credit Page as its songwriter, breaking their agreement and infringing his copyright.
Leave a Reply