Music Joe Satriani Sues Coldplay for Plagiarism

Braincase · 12-05-2008, 11:38 AM

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/160...coldplay.jhtml

Dec 5 2008 9:27 AM EST
Coldplay Sued By Joe Satriani For Allegedly Plagiarizing 'Viva La Vida' Melody

Guitarist claims the Grammy-nominated song is a rip-off of his track 'If I Could Fly.'

By Gil Kaufman

Not long after Coldplay's Viva la Vida album hit shelves this summer, the blogosphere exploded with suggestions that the title track bore a striking resemblance to a 2004 instrumental track by rock guitarist Joe Satriani titled "If I Could Fly."
Now, Satriani has accused the band of copyright infringement in a lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles federal court, according to a Reuters report.
A day after the Coldplay album was nominated for seven Grammys, including Record and Song of the Year for "Viva la Vida," Satriani's suit claims that "Viva" incorporates "substantial original portions" of his track "If I Could Fly," from the Is There Love in Space? album.

Satriani, 52, is seeking a jury trial in the dispute, as well as damages and "any and all profits" attributable to the alleged copyright infringement. The songwriting credit on the Coldplay song is attributed to the band's four members: singer Chris Martin, bass player Guy Berryman, guitarist Jonny Buckland and drummer Will Champion. A spokesperson for Coldplay could not be reached for comment at press time.
Satriani isn't the only artist who has claimed the Coldplay song was eerily familiar. Around the time of the album's release, a lesser-known New York band named Creaky Boards claimed that Martin had attended one of their gigs and would have heard the tune "The Songs I Didn't Write," which also bears a similar melody. At the time, Coldplay's spokespeople denied that Martin was at the gig and said the band had written "Viva" several months before that show.

Here's a nice link to a youtube comparison of the two songs.

Based on my observation, Coldplay better get their checkbook out.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-05-2008, 11:39 AM

That's very difficult to prove in a court of law but I wish Joe all the best.

I HATE Can't Play.

Braincase · 12-05-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That's very difficult to prove in a court of law but I wish Joe all the best.

I HATE Can't Play.

Apparently Gwyneth isn't that hip to them these days either.

PunkinDrublic · 12-05-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That's very difficult to prove in a court of law but I wish Joe all the best.

I HATE Can't Play.

No shit. Chicks love that band for some reason. Why do so many chicks have such aweful taste in music?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 12-05-2008, 11:42 AM

Jesus.

That's about as blatant as it gets.

Mark M · 12-05-2008, 12:35 PM

I knew I had heard that song somewhere before -- so once I saw this earlier today, it was nice to learn I wasn't nuts.

Well, at least not when it comes to this issue.

MM
~~

aturnis · 12-05-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark M

so once I saw this earlier today, it was nice to learn I wasn't nuts.

Aside from the fact that apparently you listen to this guy....

Notice the sparkly shirt... AWESOME!

Sure-Oz · 12-05-2008, 01:10 PM

I saw coldplay live at the sprint center, they were amazing, but i like the previous albums

Demonpenz · 12-05-2008, 01:20 PM

I've never heard of the first guy, but coldplay is pretty sweet. they rocked sprint center

Demonpenz · 12-05-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

I've never heard of the first guy, but coldplay is pretty sweet. they rocked sprint center

gah my avy spoiled my fishing attempt

Taco John · 12-05-2008, 01:24 PM

What kind of guitarist doesn't know who Satch is?

Pitt Gorilla · 12-07-2008, 01:28 AM

In related news, Saliva is suing itself for plagiarism as all of their new songs sound exactly like their old ones.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-07-2008, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

In related news, Saliva is suing itself for plagiarism as all of their new songs sound exactly like their old ones.

Copying someone else: Plagiarism.

Copying yourself: Style.

Mr. Laz · 12-05-2008, 01:25 PM

song sounds great on the youtube link where they actually play the 2 songs at the same time.

the guitar fills out the song nicely

**Reaper16** · 12-05-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

song sounds great on the youtube link where they actually play the 2 songs at the same time.

the guitar fills out the song nicely

Yeah, it really did. There needs to me a full-on remix; I'd listen to it a lot.

12-05-2008, 11:38 AM	Topic Starter
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	Joe Satriani Sues Coldplay for Plagiarism http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/160...coldplay.jhtml Dec 5 2008 9:27 AM EST Coldplay Sued By Joe Satriani For Allegedly Plagiarizing 'Viva La Vida' Melody Guitarist claims the Grammy-nominated song is a rip-off of his track 'If I Could Fly.' By Gil Kaufman Not long after Coldplay's Viva la Vida album hit shelves this summer, the blogosphere exploded with suggestions that the title track bore a striking resemblance to a 2004 instrumental track by rock guitarist Joe Satriani titled "If I Could Fly." Now, Satriani has accused the band of copyright infringement in a lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles federal court, according to a Reuters report. A day after the Coldplay album was nominated for seven Grammys, including Record and Song of the Year for "Viva la Vida," Satriani's suit claims that "Viva" incorporates "substantial original portions" of his track "If I Could Fly," from the Is There Love in Space? album. Satriani, 52, is seeking a jury trial in the dispute, as well as damages and "any and all profits" attributable to the alleged copyright infringement. The songwriting credit on the Coldplay song is attributed to the band's four members: singer Chris Martin, bass player Guy Berryman, guitarist Jonny Buckland and drummer Will Champion. A spokesperson for Coldplay could not be reached for comment at press time. Satriani isn't the only artist who has claimed the Coldplay song was eerily familiar. Around the time of the album's release, a lesser-known New York band named Creaky Boards claimed that Martin had attended one of their gigs and would have heard the tune "The Songs I Didn't Write," which also bears a similar melody. At the time, Coldplay's spokespeople denied that Martin was at the gig and said the band had written "Viva" several months before that show. Here's a nice link to a youtube comparison of the two songs. Based on my observation, Coldplay better get their checkbook out.
Posts: 15,429

12-05-2008, 11:39 AM	#2
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	That's very difficult to prove in a court of law but I wish Joe all the best. I HATE Can't Play.
Posts: 88,960

12-05-2008, 11:42 AM	#5
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4911115	Jesus. That's about as blatant as it gets.
Posts: 60,264

12-05-2008, 12:35 PM	#6
Mark M What time is it? Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: You tell me ... Casino cash: $9884900	I knew I had heard that song somewhere before -- so once I saw this earlier today, it was nice to learn I wasn't nuts. Well, at least not when it comes to this issue. MM ~~ __________________ ChiefsPlanet -- n. The place where brilliant minds assemble to willfully pool ignorance with questionable logic in order to reach absurd conclusions.
Posts: 4,687

12-05-2008, 01:20 PM	#9
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3122136	I've never heard of the first guy, but coldplay is pretty sweet. they rocked sprint center __________________
Posts: 54,272

12-05-2008, 01:24 PM	#11
Taco John Sapere Aude Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $3507937	What kind of guitarist doesn't know who Satch is?
Posts: 77,980

12-07-2008, 01:28 AM	#12
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2950194	In related news, Saliva is suing itself for plagiarism as all of their new songs sound exactly like their old ones. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,031

12-05-2008, 01:25 PM	#14
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	song sounds great on the youtube link where they actually play the 2 songs at the same time. the guitar fills out the song nicely __________________
Posts: 95,626