Popular Rock band Coldplay has been sued by virtuoso guitarist Joe Satriani for copyright infringement due to the similarities between the band's 2008 hit "Viva La Vida" and Satriani's 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly." The lawsuit was filed on Thursday December 4th in Los Angeles and seeks "any and all profits" from the alleged infringement.Reuters: Guitarist Satriani accuses Coldplay of plagiarism (December 5, 2008)

In February 2009, Satriani and his lawyer, Howard King, confirmed that they are still pursuing the lawsuit.E! Online: Joe Satriani Won't Crash Coldplay's Grammy Party (February 5, 2009) Originally, Coldplay was going to be served the official papers around the time of the 2009 Grammys.E! Online: Joe Satriani Won't Crash Coldplay's Grammy Party (February 5, 2009) However, the Coldplay's lawyer contacted the duo and said that he was going to accept to suit instead of having it served directly to the band.E! Online: Joe Satriani Won't Crash Coldplay's Grammy Party (February 5, 2009)

"With the greatest possible respect to Joe Satriani, we have now unfortunately found it necessary to respond publicly to his allegations. If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him. 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 endeavours. Coldplay." —Official Band StatementOfficial Site: Coldplay News (December 9, 2008)

In the summer of 2008, little known Brooklyn Indie Rock band Creaky Boards claimed that Coldplay singer Chris Martin attended one of their shows and then stole the melody for their song "The Songs I Didn't Write" for the band's hit "Viva la Vida." Representatives for Martin claimed that he was not in attendance at the show.Stereogum: Chris Martin Is A Thief, Or Maybe He Isn't (June 16, 2008)