Joe Satriani Files Suit Against Coldplay
Posted 12.05.2008 by Frank J in Business, Music,
Rock guitarist Joe Satriani has sued British band Coldplay, accusing the Grammy-nominated stars of plagiarizing one of his songs.
Satriani’s copyright infringement suit, filed on Thursday in Los Angeles federal court, claims the Coldplay song “Viva La Vida” incorporates “substantial original portions” of his 2004 instrumental “If I Could Fly.”
The 52-year-old guitar virtuoso is seeking a jury trial, damages and “any and all profits” attributable to the alleged copyright infringement.
Coldplay, whose soaring atmospheric tunes are often compared to those of Irish rock band U2, received seven Grammy nominations on Wednesday, second only to rapper Lil Wayne.
Among its mentions were nominations in the key record and song of the year categories for “Viva La Vida,” which comes from the band’s chart-topping album “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.”
The song is credited to the band’s four members, singer Chris Martin; bass player Guy Berryman; guitarist Johnny Buckland; and drummer Will Champion. The title was inspired by a painting by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
The Satriani track comes from his album “Is There Love in Space?” Further comment from Satriani’s attorney, or reaction from Coldplay’s management was not immediately available.
Plagiarism: to take and use ideas, passages, etc., from (another’s work) by plagiarism.
Source: Reuters
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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December 5th, 2008 on 12:06 pm
Isn’t Joe one of your favorites? Have you listened to both? If so, did you notice any similarity between the two songs? If Joe is the one I am thinking of, I’d be interested to here your personal opinion.
December 5th, 2008 on 12:24 pm
Yes they indeed copied a melody without a doubt.
I am a huge Satriani fan!
December 5th, 2008 on 12:47 pm
I thought that was the guy you had raved about. It should be interesting to see how this plays out in light of the fact that Coldplay and their song is so much in the spotlight right now. I wonder if pending litigation will disqualify it from its run at the award. If they settle quickly, which is more likely, Satriani just gave himself a huge boost to the number that will be settled upon!
December 5th, 2008 on 1:48 pm
It’s certainly the same progression and a very similar melody - but that doesn’t mean they copied it.
Surely even a Satriani fan would be happy to admit the parts in question are pretty simple, uninspiring, insipid, and sufficiently basic that it is hardly surprising someone else produced something so similar, completely independently.
December 5th, 2008 on 1:54 pm
Jon,
You’re correct, it’s slightly similar, but I recognized it right away. The melody in question is that of Joe Satriani and it’s easy to duplicate, but it’s still the same.
December 7th, 2008 on 8:11 am
I listened to the satch song first just to see whether I knew what coldplay song the reported aticle istalking about and i never worked out what coldplay song it was supposedly supposed to be…. COME ON SATCH, BIT HARSH INNIT?
December 7th, 2008 on 8:13 am
Second time around…I get it now! go get em! LOL
December 7th, 2008 on 8:34 am
No doubt it’s an exact copy.
December 12th, 2008 on 12:02 am
nooo they dont copy,,,i think satriani is jelous about that the coldplay is popular than him…… COLDPLAY RULES
December 12th, 2008 on 6:54 am
Satriani is jealous? Did you listen to the video? It’s a copy, period!
December 18th, 2008 on 5:22 pm
This response is made respectfully - I hope it will be taken that way.
Frank, it seems you’re coming from the point of view that you’re already a huge Satriani fan, and are therefore maybe a little biased.
While the comparison is undeniable, there are whole parts of the two songs that are dissimilar, and there are enormous amounts of historical data out there that show song after song that have the same melodies, etc. There are only so many chord progressions in existence. If Coldplay, a band with a positive reputation and history of making ethical and humane moves in their career, copied knowingly off of Satriani, I think they’d likely make reparations.
It’s unfortunate that such a likeness is out there, but I believe Coldplay didn’t do it on purpose, and it’s a shame that it’s going to drag the two parties into the mud - Coldplay as possible willing plagarists, and Satriani as a litigious gold-digger with sour grapes that his song did not receive the same level of acclaim as the Coldplay song. It’s a shame.
December 18th, 2008 on 7:44 pm
Amy,
I am a fan of Satriani, but the two songs are way too similar. I have taken your points and appreciate the comment, it was well thought out. Thank you so much for sharing your opinion!
December 21st, 2008 on 11:11 pm
Amy and Frank,
Your conversation piqued my interest, mainly because I’m trying to keep up to date on the Satch-CP case altogether. While I am a huge Satch fan from appreciating the guitar in my own time as a 22-y.o student, I also enjoy many of Coldplay’s albums/songs, namely the earlier ones. However, until hearing about the suit, I never tied a similarity b/w the two songs in question. After comparing the two, it is evident that CPs is very similar to Satch’s lead in ‘If I Could fly.’ Did Coldplay knowingly copy it? Who knows…I doubt it though. But, when you cheat in school, if you happen to write the same thing as another classmate by coincidence, 99% of the time you’re punished for it (poor example, but you get the point).
As far as Satriani being ‘jealous’ and wanting his song to achieve the popularity of Viva la Vida, that too is unlikely. Satriani is a guitar virtuoso, but primarily a guitar TEACHER at heart. He creates very technical, beautiful, face-melting works of art and its all for the appreciation of those who KNOW good music. He can compose very intricate songs that to someone who knows music (not just likes it) realizes they are very impressive and a difficult feat. Any guitarist (Even Coldlplay’s, whoever the heck he is) knows that Satriani has his fame, and plenty of money from indorsments from huge music companies such as Peavey (subsidiary of Fender Guitars). Satch just wants recognition that his tune was around first. In short, it makes no sense to say he’s gold digging.
Bottom line: Quality of Music (Satriani) versus
Quantity of Fans (Coldplay)….there are more fan voices for Coldplay, yet musically (which is what this IS about) I speak for all musicians and say Satriani gets the credit. Thanks for letting me get my 200 cents in.
December 22nd, 2008 on 6:46 am
Dylan,
Thanks for the comment and will see how this one comes to terms.