Source: Reuters

 

On August 4, 2025, it was reported that iconic Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by composer Jake Holmes concerning the famous song “Dazed and Confused.” This dispute, which dates back several years, resurfaced in May of this year when Holmes accused Page and Sony Pictures of copyright infringement and breach of contract.

Holmes, who wrote the original version of “Dazed and Confused” in 1967, alleged that both Page and Sony Pictures had used the song in the documentary “Becoming Led Zeppelin” without his permission or compensation. The lawsuit also claimed that Page had released several live versions of the song, crediting himself as the sole songwriter, thereby violating a prior settlement agreement reached in 2011.

The settlement, the specific terms of which have not been disclosed, was confirmed in a federal court in California, where the parties indicated they were finalizing a written agreement. Representatives from Warner Music and Holmes’s attorney, Daniel Johnson, declined to comment on the terms of the agreement.

This is not the first time Holmes has litigated against Page. In 2010, he filed a similar lawsuit that was resolved in 2011, requiring Led Zeppelin to modify the song’s credits to include a mention that Page had drawn inspiration from Holmes’s work. According to statements, the connection between Holmes and Page was established when Holmes opened for The Yardbirds, where Page first heard his composition.

Holmes’s recent lawsuit arose after the inclusion of “Dazed and Confused” in the documentary, which reignited accusations of lack of recognition and compensation. The resolution of this case marks an end to a prolonged conflict that has been present in the history of rock music, highlighting the complexities of copyright in the industry.

The parties involved in the case have informed the court that the issues have been resolved and that they are working on a final agreement. Despite attempts to obtain further comments, representatives of the companies involved have not immediately responded to requests for information.