I’ve always thought this was the case, that chord progressions are not copywritable, but melodies could be.
Brass blower are ye pulling me leg? If not, the case is totally ludicrous! 
JeffC
Considering the music they play and the rate at which they seem to be going after every little thing (WHEELS for crimeny sakes) maybe they think this is the only way to make money any more?
Steven
It all depends what kind of jury you get. Willie Dixon tried to sue Led Zeppelin, claiming they ripped off his “You Need Love” when they did “Whole Lotta Love,” which they clearly did. I love Zep, but there is absolutely no doubt - they ripped the basic riff, the melody and a good portion of the lyrics. They rounded out the tune with lyrics stolen from Robert Johnson. Dixon somehow lost the case. The jury didn’t hear it.
I’m not sure what the implications are for my band, which is called Jars, Lames and the Keltik Poseurs. We’ll probably refrain from playing The Unforgiven Hornpipe until the whole mess blows over.
Sure it wasn’t Led Zep’s “The Lemon Song” that ripped off “Killing Floor” or were there several instances of Zep plagiarism?
If so, that would be TWO instances on the same album!..
Pat, The Lemon Song is an even better example of them glomming some old blues material and not paying royalties, but they were never sued over that one. I believe the Zep defense showed that there were bunches of lyrics, lyrical images and phrases out there in the blues tradition that got used over and over and were therefore owned by no one. Snatches of Dixon’s tunes are found in Charly Patton’s work, and Robert Johnson’s recorded lyrics are found in other contemporary artists work.
So L.Z. maintained that they had the same right as anyone to use these images. Whatever.
Jim,
So that IS two instances on the same record… Wow! Mind you, Led Zep’s own material has been sampled a lot as well (mostly in rap), so I guess there is some poetic justice to it?
P.
Nothing like paring things down, I suppose. :roll:
That is one of the all-time stupidest things I’ve seen yet. Those pinheads are so lacking, they can’t think beyond a two-chord progression as an “identity”. They are ripe for mockery.
This E-F thing–it’s not a joke? PLEASE tell me it’s a joke.
Carol
'Fraid not. There seems to be no limit to what Metallica will sue over. I think the REAL problem, though, is that our legal system makes it possible to entertain such lawsuits. Need we be reminded of the two Manhattan women who sued McDonald’s because they became obese after eating there for breakfast, lunch and dinner for years…?
I belive Janice and Jeff are right. Chord progressions can’t be protected by copywright law (but melody can). Besides, Morrisons Jig is a traditional tune, right? If you can prove that, they can’t hold anything against you. It would be more likely that Metallica had taken the Chord progression from the trad tune, but no one could sue them for that because trad tunes are not protected by copywright law, and that my friend is exactly the reason why you can’t be sued.
Get a good lawyer…
Good luck
Sheesh! This is ridiculous, man! They are probably just looking for a settlement. I’ll bet this lawyer has tons of frivilous lawsuits like that flying around. When I get hit with junk like this, it usually doesn’t even get to court, but an attorney needs to get involved on your end. Good luck with it, and too bad for the waste of your time that it will probably be.
This is EXACTLY the case I had in mind when I started pulling yer legs! I just didn’t have the proper link! Thanks, G4M! 
What a bunch of washed up lamos, do they really think the rest of the world is as stupid as they are?
I guess ignorance really is bliss
See also:
http://www.411mania.com/music/news/article.php?news_id=3586
good grief!
Now why didn’t I read Geek’s link there before I posted? 
I got so mad about it I just put in a reply that I thought would help. That was pretty good Brassblower. You got me. 
It really is unbelievable the lawsuits are flying around out there. As everyone knows, some of our court systems are totally clogged with frivilous lawsuits from correctional institute inmates. It’s a shame. Just a bunch of people wantin’ somethin’ for nuthin’.
If you can’t beat them, sue them!
Steven
Just you wait, Brassy. Just you wait. 
I’ll be here all day, Nano!
(Edited to remove ripped-off statement from Metallica.) 
Sounds like something out of the comics.
Good one, Walden. 