YouTube A Factor In JOE SATRIANI/COLDPLAY Legal Battle?

May 21, 2009

The Pulse of Radio reports: The copyright case brought against COLDPLAY by guitarist Joe Satriani, who claims the British group ripped off his 2004 song "If I Could Fly" for their 2008 hit "Viva La Vida", could take an interesting turn, according to MusicRadar.com. The site pointed to an article in the April issue of Entertainment Law & Finance, in which three lawyers in the Intellectual Property Group at a firm called Kilpatrick Stockton LLP note that the "surprisingly detailed" analyses of both songs posted by fans on YouTube, many of them side by side comparisons, could be admitted as evidence if the case goes to trial.

The attorneys wrote, "Within days of the suit's initiation, YouTube was inundated with postings in which fans freely offered their opinions concerning the merits of Satriani's claims (or absence thereof). Some of these submissions were supported by surprisingly detailed analyses of the works."

The article points out one in-depth analysis in particular that was posted by a Canadian guitar teacher (see below).

Other posts pointed out similarities between Satriani's tune and older works by other artists, which could bolster COLDPLAY's defense.

Satriani has taken a less angry tone in recent interviews about the case, telling The Pulse of Radio that it's working its way through the legal process. "You know, it's one of those things that is annoying to talk about, because I can't talk about it," he said. "But I can tell you that the legal system is going through its paces, the protocols are all being met, and it's making its way between various law offices and the courts, and it's just one of those things. I'm pretty confident that there will be an equitable solution reached at some point."

COLDPLAY has denied Satriani's accusations and has so far refused any kind of financial settlement with the guitarist.

Singer/songwriter Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, has also accused COLDPLAY of plagiarism, saying they ripped off his song, "Foreigner Suite" in "Viva La Vida". Islam has not revealed whether he also intends to sue.

COLDPLAY vs. Joe Satriani:

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