It's been on the news-wire now every radio station & music rag is reporting the issue between Joe Satriani and Coldplay regarding the song "Viva La Vida".

The chart-topping song, which has been used for a commercial, sold millions, and been nominated for a Grammy for "Song of the Year" (from the multi-platinum album of the same name), is dis-similar stylistically, but compositionally a dead-ringer. While this happens quite a bit in music, sometimes it's a bit too close for comfort. So when Joe Satriani heard Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" (released in summer of 2008) and realized the melody, chord progression, and even the key and tempo of the song is a carbon copy of his 2004 release "If I Could Fly", he contacted the band.

The band refused to respond, so Satch filed suit last week, forcing the issue.

The first line of defense with many accused of infringement is that the suit comes from someone seeking fame & fortune. But in this case that line fails miserably, because Joe Satriani, while not a household name, is a guy with mutliple Grammy nominations (14 nominations in his 20+ year career); top-selling albums (he has the distinction of having among the few instrumental rock albums EVER to crack the top 40): sold out world tours, including the much-lauded G-3 tours; collaborations with legends like Mick Jagger, Steve Vai, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, and others; his songs featured on the game series "Guitar Hero"; and is also known as the man who taught today's top players how to play guitar, giving lessons early on to the likes of Metallica's Kirk Hammet, top-dog Steve Vai, Larry Lalonde (Primus), Alex Skolnick, the guitarists from Counting Crows, 3rd Eye Blind, and many others. In short, Joe is already a successful, wealthy, and respected individual in the music industry.

Many will be watching to see how this one plays out, but upon listening to the video below, one has to wonder why Coldplay's attorneys didn't keep this out of the public eye and simply settle quietly.

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