Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page is being sued for copyright infringement on the group's 1969 track 'azed and Confused,' by the man who's been linked with the original since the song's release, reports CMU. Jake Holmes' song of the same name was written in 1967, with the folk singer supporting the Yardbirds -- featuring the eventual Led Zeppelin guitarist -- in Greenwich Village during the same year. It made such an impression on Page that the group started using it in their own live sets.

Though the Yardbirds themselves never recorded a version, with Led Zeppelin it appeared on the group's self-titled LP but credited to Page, as well possessing a separate copyright; the guitarist has remained cagey about the track's origins ever since. Over 40 years on, the singer has decided that the song is in fact his, and so has launched a court case.

As so long has passed since the recording, Holmes can only claim damages and royalties for the last three years. According to The Guardian he's doing just that and asking for statutory damages of $150,000 (£100,000) per infringement, as well as actual damages and song profits. The track's appeared on at least two compilations in that time -- 2007's 'Mothership' and 2008's 'efinitive Collection' -- and so the total figure being claimed is likely to be around the $1 million (£666,000) mark; it is not clear why Holmes has waited so long to bring this to court. The case continues with Page yet to respond.

I wonder if there is an usucaption law in the british law system and if it does apply to songs.. that would be hilarious.

The way I see it, if you wait 40yrs to claim ownership, you should get nothing.