British group Coldplay on Tuesday denied allegations that the band had plagiarized a song from an American rock guitarist on their latest chart-topping album.
In a statement on their website which came after Joe Satriani filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles last week, the band said any similarities between their music and the American strummer was entirely coincidental.
If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him, the band said.
Joe Satriani is a great musician, but he did not write or have any influence on the song ‘Viva La Vida.’ We respectfully ask him to accept our assurances of this and wish him well with all future endeavors.
Satriani, known for his instrumental compositions, alleges Coldplay s song Viva la Vida had copied and incorporated substantial original portions from his own track If I Could Fly recorded on an album released in 2004.
Satriani s lawsuit demands damages and any and all profits related to the alleged copyright infringement.
A representative for the band was not immediately available for comment.
Coldplay s latest album Viva La Vida, released in June, has topped the charts in Europe and the United States. The recording helped Coldplay win seven nominations for the 2009 Grammy awards. – AFP
