Jimmy Page, Sony Pictures sued by songwriter over Led Zeppelin song

SONGWRITER Jake Holmes sued former Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds guitarist Jimmy Page, music publisher Warner Chappell, and film studio Sony Pictures in California federal court on Monday for allegedly violating his rights in the song “Dazed and Confused.”

Mr. Holmes said in the complaint that Mr. 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.

Mr. Holmes accused Mr. 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.

Mr. Holmes’ attorney Daniel Johnson declined to comment.

Mr. Holmes, a singer-songwriter and prominent ad jingle creator, wrote “Dazed and Confused” in 1967. Mr. Page’s band the Yardbirds reworked it later that year, and his next band Led Zeppelin featured it on their debut album in 1969.

Mr. Holmes sued Mr. Page for copyright infringement in 2010 over Mr. Page’s versions of the song. The dispute was settled outside of court in 2011.

The new lawsuit said that Mr. Page has since released several archival Yardbirds live versions of “Dazed and Confused” that only credit Mr. Page as its songwriter, breaking their agreement and infringing his copyright.

The complaint said that Becoming Led Zeppelin, released in February, also uses “Dazed and Confused” without permission.

Mr. Holmes requested damages of at least $150,000 per instance of infringement under US copyright law. — Reuters