Joe Satriani's lawsuit against the band Coldplay, based on his claim that Chris Martin and co plagiarized his 2004 song If I Could Fly for their 2008 single Viva La Vida, has been dismissed from court.
Satriani brought a lawsuit against Coldplay last December, alleging that the band copied "substantial original portions" of his composition for their Grammy-winning song, and sought a jury trial to award him monetary compensation.
"I felt like a dagger went right through my heart. It hurt so much," Satriani told MusicRadar exclusively last year. "The second I heard it, I knew it was [my own] If I Could Fly.
"Almost immediately, from the minute their song came out, my e-mail box flooded with people going, 'Have you heard this song by Coldplay? They ripped you off man.' I mean, I couldn't tell you how many e-mails I received."
Out-of-court settlement reached?
According to News.justia.com, the case was dismissed yesterday (14 September) in California Central District Court "upon stipulation," suggesting that an out-of-court settlement may have been reached.
MusicRadar contacted Satriani's attorney, Howard E King, who said, "No comment. The case has been dismissed."
Judge Dean Pregerson decreed that both the parties bear their own trial costs as the case was closed.
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In unrelated Joe Satriani news, the RIAA has just certified Chickenfoot's self-titled debut album as Gold, having shipped 500,000 copies.
Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.
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