Date: 06-24-2016

Case Style: Michael Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin, et al.

Case Number: 2:15-cv-03462-RGK-AGR

Judge: R. Gary Klausner

Court: United States District Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Alfred J. Fluehr, Glen L Kulik, Francis A Malofiy

Defendant's Attorney: Helene M Freeman and Peter Anderson for Atlantic Recording Corporation, Rhino Entertainment Company, SUPER HYPE PUBLISHING, INC.,Warner Music Group Corp., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., James Patrick Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Anthony Plant

Description: Los Angeles, CA - Michael Skidmore, a trustee for the songs of Randy Wolfe, a member of the band Spirit, sued Led Zeppelin, James Patrick Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Anthony Plant and others on copyright violation theories claiming that the defendants stole the opening riff of "Stairway to Heaven."

The defendants denied wrongdoing.

Some Court Docket Entries:

Date Filed # Docket Text
05/24/2016 221 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Order for to Compel Attendance and Testimony 220 filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 05/24/2016)
06/07/2016 222 STATEMENT - Joint Statement of the Case to be Read to Jury filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE (Kulik, Glen) (Entered: 06/07/2016)
06/07/2016 223 TRIAL BRIEF filed by defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration re Documents Cited in Trial Brief)(Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/07/2016)
06/08/2016 224 ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO COMPEL ATTENDANCE OF JAMES PATRICK PAGE AND ROBERT PLANT AND JOHN PAUL JONES 220 by Judge R. Gary Klausner. (ah) (Entered: 06/08/2016)
06/10/2016 225 REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE that the Spirit Album Taurus Appeared On Charted for 32 Weeks, As High As 31, on Billboard's Top LP's Chart filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Francis Malofiy, # 2 Proposed Order)(Malofiy, Francis) (Entered: 06/10/2016)
06/10/2016 226 REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. (Kulik, Glen) (Entered: 06/10/2016)
06/10/2016 227 REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE (with Proposed Order) filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Order)(Kulik, Glen) (Entered: 06/10/2016)
06/10/2016 228 DECLARATION of Glen L. Kulik re Request for Judicial Notice 227 filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A-D, # 2 Exhibit E, # 3 Exhibit F-I, # 4 Exhibit J-M)(Kulik, Glen) (Entered: 06/10/2016)
06/10/2016 229 REQUEST to Use Music Equipment at Trial filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. Request set for hearing on 6/14/2016 at 09:00 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Malofiy, Francis) (Entered: 06/10/2016)
06/11/2016 230 (STRICKEN PURSUANT TO DKT. 233 ) NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Sanctions for Failing to Disclose Conflict of Interest filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. Motion set for hearing on 6/14/2016 at 09:00 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Francis Malofiy, # 2 Proposed Order, # 3 Alternative Proposed Order) (Malofiy, Francis) Modified on 6/13/2016 (ah). (Entered: 06/11/2016)
06/12/2016 231 (STRICKEN PURSUANT TO DKT. 233 ) NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Reconsideration re Order on Motion for Summary Judgment,,, Order on Motion for Partial Summary Judgment,, 159 filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. Motion set for hearing on 6/14/2016 at 09:00 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Francis Malofiy, # 2 Proposed Order) (Malofiy, Francis) Modified on 6/13/2016 (ah). (Entered: 06/12/2016)
06/12/2016 232 SUPPLEMENT to MOTION IN LIMINE (#3) to Exclude recordings of Taurus different from copyrighted 1967 transcription 136 ***Plaintiff's Brief in Further Support of Admissibility of Taurus Recordings*** filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Malofiy, Francis) (Entered: 06/12/2016)
06/13/2016 233 ORDER STRIKING ELECTRONICALLY FILED DOCUMENTS by Judge R. Gary Klausner: the following document(s) be STRICKEN for failure to comply with the Local Rules, General Order and/or the Courts Case Management Order: NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Reconsideration re Order on Motion for Summary Judgment 159 231 , NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Sanctions for Failing to Disclose Conflict of Interest 230 for the following reasons: Hearing information is missing, incorrect, or not timely. Motions are not timely. Memorandum of Points and Authorities on Docket Entry 230 exceed this Court's 20 page limit. (ah) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 234 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Sanctions for Failing to Disclose Conflict of Interest 230 filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 235 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Reconsideration re Order on Motion for Summary Judgment,,, Order on Motion for Partial Summary Judgment,, 159 231 filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 236 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to REQUEST to Use Music Equipment at Trial 229 filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 237 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to Request for Judicial Notice re Probate Files (Doc. 227) filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 238 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to Request for Judicial Notice re Spirit Album (Doc. 225) filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 239 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to Motion to Reconsider Ruling as to MIL # 3 (Doc. 232) filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 240 APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Alfred J. Fluehr to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE (Pro Hac Vice Fee - Fee Paid, Receipt No. 0973-17993176) filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Kulik, Glen) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/13/2016 241 DEFENDANTS' SUPPLEMENTAL Exhibit List filed by defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc.. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/13/2016)
06/14/2016 242 Supplemental Exhibit List for Trial filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE.. (Malofiy, Francis) (Entered: 06/14/2016)
06/14/2016 243 NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES in Electronically Filed Documents RE: APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Alfred J. Fluehr to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE (Pro Hac Vice Fee - Fee Paid, Receipt No. 0973-17993176) 240 . The following error(s) was found: Other error(s) with document(s) are specified below: Form is out-of-date. Attorney failed to use current form and Proposed Order. Form was updated and amended as of May 1, 2016. In response to this notice the court may order (1) an amended or correct document to be filed (2) the document stricken or (3) take other action as the court deems appropriate. You need not take any action in response to this notice unless and until the court directs you to do so. (lt) (Entered: 06/14/2016)
06/14/2016 245 MINUTES OF Jury Trial - 1st Day; Rulings on Motions in Limine 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 149 150 151 held before Judge R. Gary Klausner. Jury empanelled and sworn. Opening statements made. Witnesses called, sworn and testified. Jury Trial set for 6/15/2016 08:30 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. See order for specifics. Court Reporter: Sandra MacNeil/C. Nirenberg. (ah) (Entered: 06/15/2016)
06/15/2016 244 NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Use Sound Recordings to Prove Access filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. Motion set for hearing on 6/16/2016 at 08:30 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Plaintiff's Brief on Using Sound Recordings to Prove Access, # 2 Exhibit 2 - Defendants' Response to Plaintiff's Brief on Sound Recordings and Access) (Malofiy, Francis) (Entered: 06/15/2016)
06/15/2016 246 APPLICATION of Non-Resident Attorney Alfred J. Fluehr to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE (Pro Hac Vice Fee - $325.00 Previously Paid on 6/13/2016, Receipt No. 097317993176) filed by Plaintiff MICHAEL SKIDMORE. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Kulik, Glen) (Entered: 06/15/2016)
06/15/2016 247 ORDER ON APPLICATION OF NON-RESIDENT ATTORNEY TO APPEAR IN A SPECIFIC CASE PRO HAC VICE by Judge R. Gary Klausner: granting 246 Non-Resident Attorney Alfred J. Fluehr APPLICATION to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Plaintiff, Michael Skidmore, as Trustee for Randy Craig Wolfe Trust, designating Glen L. Kulik as local counsel. (bp) (Entered: 06/15/2016)
06/15/2016 248 MINUTES OF Jury Trial - 2nd Day held before Judge R. Gary Klausner: Witnesses called, sworn and testified. Exhibits identified and admitted. Case continued to 6/16/2016 08:30 AM. Court Reporter: Sandra MacNeil/Cindy Nirenberg. (bp) (Entered: 06/16/2016)
06/16/2016 249 MINUTES OF Jury Trial - 3rd Day held before Judge R. Gary Klausner: Witnesses called, sworn and testified. Exhibits identified and admitted. Case continued to 6/17/2016 08:30 AM. Court Reporter: Sandra MacNeil/Cindy Nirenberg. (bp) (Entered: 06/17/2016)
06/17/2016 254 MINUTES OF Jury Trial - 4th Day held before Judge R. Gary Klausner: Witnesses called, sworn and testified. Exhibits identified and admitted. Case continued to 6/21/2006 08:30 AM. Court Reporter: Sandra MacNeil/Cindy Nirenberg. (bp) (Entered: 06/20/2016)
06/20/2016 250 NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Judgment as a Matter of Law on the basis of: plaintiff's failure to prove elements of his claims filed by defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. Motion set for hearing on 6/21/2016 at 08:30 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/20/2016)
06/20/2016 251 REQUEST for Order for Ruling on alternative Motion for JMOL re plaintiff's claim for profits filed by defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. Request set for hearing on 6/21/2016 at 08:30 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/20/2016)
06/20/2016 252 OBJECTIONS TO PLAINTIFF'S TRIAL CONDUCT filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/20/2016)
06/20/2016 253 OFFER OF PROOF RE UNCLEAN HANDS DEFENSE filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/20/2016)
06/21/2016 255 PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTIONS filed by defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc.. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/21/2016)
06/21/2016 256 MEMORANDUM in Opposition to Plaintiff's Oral Motion for Directed Verdict re Unclean Hands, filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/21/2016)
06/21/2016 257 OBJECTIONS TO PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTION RE CHANGE IN LAW, filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner/Chappell Music Inc. (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/21/2016)
06/21/2016 259 MINUTES OF Jury Trial - 5th Day held before Judge R. Gary Klausner: Witnesses called, sworn and testified. Exhibits identified and admitted. Court and counsel confer re jury instructions. Oppositions to pending motions due by June 24, 2016. Jury Trial set for 6/22/2016 08:30 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. Court Reporter: Sandra MacNeil/C. Nirenberg. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/22/2016 260 MINUTES OF Jury Trial - 6th Day held before Judge R. Gary Klausner: Closing arguments made by plaintiff and defendants. Court instructs jury. Bailiff sworn. Jury retires to deliberate. Jury Trial continued to 6/23/2016 08:30 AM before Judge R. Gary Klausner. Court Reporter: Sandra MacNeil. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 258 DEFENDANTS' OBJECTION TO PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED JURY INSTRUCTION RE OWNERSHIP OF WOLFE'S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO VERDICT filed by Defendants Atlantic Recording Corporation, ROBERT ANTHONY PLANT, James Patrick Page, Rhino Entertainment Company, Warner Music Group Corp (Anderson, Peter) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 261 MINUTES OF Jury Trial - 7th Day held and completed before Judge R. Gary Klausner: Verdict reached. Jury FINDS in favor of defendants. Jury polled. Court Reporter: Sandra MacNeil. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 262 JUDGMENT ON THE VERDICT FOR DEFENDANTS by Judge R. Gary Klausner. (MD JS-6, Case Terminated). (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 263 REDACTED JURY VERDICT in favor of Defendants. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 264 UNREDACTED Jury Verdict re: Jury Verdict 263 . (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 265 REDACTED Jury Notes # 1 filed. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 266 REDACTED Jury Note # 2 filed. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 267 REDACTED Jury Notes # 3 filed. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 268 UNREDACTED Jury Note #1 re: Jury Notes 265 . (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 269 UNREDACTED Jury Note #2 re: Jury Notes 266 . (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 270 UNREDACTED Jury Note #3 re: Jury Notes 267 . (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 271 PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST TO AMEND VERDICT by Judge R. Gary Klausner. Request is denied. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 272 LIST OF EXHIBITS AND WITNESSES at trial. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)
06/23/2016 273 JURY INSTRUCTIONS (Given) by Judge R. Gary Klausner. (ah) (Entered: 06/23/2016)

Outcome: Defendants' verdict.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: