UPDATE: Tensions Are High As Expert Witness Takes The Stand In Day 3 Of Zeppelin Trial – I Can Hardly Watch!
Mona Shafer Edwards/The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
The Anticipation Is Killing Me…
In the third day of the Led Zeppelin plagiarism case on Thursday, Mary Poppins gets a shoutout, Judge Klausner throws shade at Skidmore’s attorney Malofiy, a mistrial is discussed further and the plaintiff calls a witness to the stand that levels the playing field.
In a continuation of Jimmy Page’s testimony, Malofiy played “Chim Chim Cher-ee” from the Disney film Mary Poppins to discuss the songs influence on Stairway to Heaven.
“I may have said the chord sequences are very similar because that chord sequence has been around forever,” Page responded.
As Malofiy rambled on with questions and pauses in though, Judge Klausner reprimanded Malofiy and exclaimed that he was “wasting a lot of time.” This remark adds to the several instances that Klausner has expressed disapproval of Malofiy’s performance during the trial.
The chances the the case will be declared a mistrial have increased as Zeppelin’s attorney Anderson discusses the misuse of the video during opening statements.
“We don’t believe this is an exhibition produced by us or provided to us by the plaintiff,” Anderson said of the unapproved footage not provided ahead of time by the plaintiff.
In a turn of events, The Spirit/”Taurus” side of the case presented an expert witness, Dr. Alexander Stewart, a musicologist, professional saxophonist and music professor at the University of Vermont.
Day 3 in review which also covered musicologist reviewing both compositions via @RollingStone https://t.co/F4myyfxhst
— Jimmy Page News (@JimmyPageNews) June 17, 2016
Stewart clearly described the close similarities in composition and music theory of the two songs for the jury. Along with several other accounts of composition and chord progression, he explained that the structure of the two songs are “unlike any of the 65 “prior art” examples of compositions using similar chordal and compositional structures submitted by the defense.”
This event marks the first moment of tension in the courtroom although no one can say yet which side has the advantage. The case continues…
