Coldplay could be in 'Trouble'

The New Year could prove to be expensive for Coldplay according to Ben Prangell, legal adviser for Liverpool intellectual property specialist Shipley Solicitors, who wrote:

The band were recently accused of plagiarising Joe Satriani's song 'If I could Fly' by the use of a melody over a chord progression in their song 'Viva la Vida'. Satriani claims that this melody features originally in his track.

Satriani filed a suit in LA for "any and all profits" made from 'Vida La Vida', ironically Coldplay's most successful single to date.

Coldplay have dismissed the claims, claiming they have never heard the Satriani track. However, unintentionally copied can still entitle the courts to decide in the claimant's favour and can prove to be a costly exercise.

Beatle George Harrison was ruled against over his song 'My Sweet Lord' when The Chiffons brought action against him for copying their song 'He's so Fine' in the 70s. Although very different genres of track, the melody was noticeably similar. Although George claimed the track was written over a period of time, the court ruled against him and awarded more than $500,000 in damages.

So, although Coldplay have denied copying, they may have unintentionally copied the track. For instance, how often do you hear background music in taxis, only to find the track stuck in your head for the rest of the day?

In the past plagiarism cases have often settled out of court including Avril Lavigne who struck a deal with the Rubinoos, who claimed her 2007 hit "Girlfriend" bore striking similarities to their 1979 song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." Her manager Terry McBride said he wanted to avoid a costly legal battle and settled with the band.

It will ultimately be the courts that decide whether copying has occurred in Coldplay's case. But if they rule against Chris Martin and co it could prove to be an expensive 2009.