Prosecutors have dropped charges against three men accused of conspiring to sell handwritten lyrics to the iconic Eagles song "Hotel California."

The case involved a notepad containing the lyrics allegedly stolen before the trio purchased it. Glenn Horowitz, Craig Inciardi, and Edward Kosinski pleaded not guilty in a New York court, but new evidence raised concerns about the fairness of the case.

Former Eagles member Don Henley claimed that a yellow-lined notepad with lyrics, including "Hotel California," was stolen before being put up for sale in 2012. The notepad was sold to Horowitz by writer Ed Sanders, who had access to the band's archives. Henley's claims prompted an investigation and charges of conspiracy to possess stolen property.

However, the prosecution decided to dismiss the case due to newly revealed emails that defense lawyers argued raised fairness concerns. These emails, uncovered after Henley waived attorney-client privilege, shed new light on the case. Defense attorneys accused witnesses and their lawyers of using attorney-client privilege to withhold damaging information.

The dismissal marked a setback for the Attorney General's office, which had been investigating the case for years. Attorneys for the defendants welcomed the decision but expressed frustration over the ordeal's toll. The Eagles' "Hotel California" album remains one of the best-selling albums in US history, with 26 million copies sold nationwide.