In deep over ‘How Deep...'

Press, 25 February 1983, Page 8

In deep over ‘How Deep...'

NZPA Chicago The Bee Gees infringed on the copyright work of an amateur songwriter when they wrote their hit. "How Deep is Your Love." a Federal Court jury has ruled. District Judge George Leighton said he would refer the question of damages to a magistrate. Barry Gibb, the Bee Gees’ lead singer, shouted “Lies” after the jury's decision was announced in favour of Ronald Selle, an antique dealer and amateur composer from Hazel Crest, Chicago. Selle alleged that the group had used themes from his 1975 song. “Let It End," for “How Deep is Your Love," from the soundtrack to the 1978 film “Saturday Night Fever." The jury deliberated for

about seven hours before announcing its verdict. Onlookers had packed the courtroom during the weeklong trial. Robert Osterberg. the Gibb brothers' lawyer, had said his clients composed the hit song in a chateau in France in 1977. During closing arguments Mr Osterberg argued that Selle’s song resembled several earlier Bee Gees hits. Selle said that that was a coincidence. During the trial Selle testified that the song had occurred to him while he was shaving one morning. He said that he wrote down the notes before leaving for work, and wrote the lyrics about a week later. The Gibb brothers said that they had never saw or heard of Selle’s song.