So Does Satriani Have a Strong Case?

[winston]

From a copyright viewpoint at first Joe will have to demonstrate to a judge that their are sufficient similarities between the two bodies of work that can be discerned by an untrained ear so his case may be heard. In this case I would suspect that the judge will use his own reaction to the works as a guage. If he finds for the plaintiff he will then allow the parties to present their arguments for and against.

In the final analysis the judge will listen to technical arguments about the nature of the works and how they are not only similar but are also precisely the same from Satriani's attorney. Being precisely the same is the litmus test. The defendants attorney will argue no doubt that even though their is a vague similarity (as happens with music from time to time) that the works are not precisely the same.

Joe's legal argument has to rely on his attorney proving his technical argument beyond a shadow of a doubt.

It will be interesting to watch the ruling on this one.

[kiramdear]

BTW, Brian I learned the numbers in my one and only semester of college theory training. I find them a useful tool for transposing songs for others but I write out my charts with letters. Why are they called Nashville?

Those of us that write have probably all written songs that have been in the "style of" or "inspired" by another

You said a mouthful, Brother!

[captsandwich]

I really don't know why he is wasting his time pursuing this course of action.

Successful or not, I bet he sells more albums this week than he has so far this year.

[captsandwich]

I find it hypocritical that Kieth Richards was so hell bent on suing(was it The Verve?)because he felt their hit was a copy of "Last Time". Such outcry coming from a man who built his career ripping off other artists.

It was the owner of the company that controls the rights to the Stones' Decca catalogue, not the band, and it wasn't just that they copied the riff, they sampled an entire section. Keith had nothing to do with the lawsuit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_verve

[lovecity]

I don't like either of these acts...

But c'mon... do you really think the dudes in Coldplay had even HEARD the Satriani version?

[winston]

Kira,

The Nashville Numbering System was developed by Neil Matthews in the late '50s as a simplified system for the Jordanaires to use in the studio and further developed by Charlie McCoy. Their aim was to reduce studio time and by logical extension the overall cost of producing a record.

It's now used worldwide by studio and professional musicians to help them communicate chords and progressions in a song more simply and effectively.

[kiramdear]

I thought it was some dorky music-teacher thing. Well it's nice to know I've been in good company all these years

signed,

clueless

[winston]

Dec 9, 2:32 PM (ET)

NEW YORK (AP) - Coldplay is firing back against accusations they copied another artist's work for their hit "Viva La Vida."

In a statement released on Tuesday, the band responded to a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by guitarist Joe Satriani last week. That lawsuit says the Grammy-nominated song contains "substantial, original portions" of his 2004 song, "If I Could Fly."

Says Coldplay: "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 statement goes on to say: "Joe Satriani is a great musician, but he did not write the song 'Viva La Vida.' We respectfully ask him to accept our assurances of this and wish him well with all future endeavours."

[longboard_ric]

I think Joe is being a little optimistic.

Has he fallen on hard times???

[wayang]

Hmm, hard times...not sure if Joe would know a 'hard time' if it bit him on the *ss...

He seems to have a lot of 'leisure time' on his hands these days...at least when it comes to pursuing silly legal actions. Anyone here remember the Finnish guy who was posting 'shred' videos a year ago of famous guitarists with his own hilarious sound track overdubbed? I thought that guy's work was brilliant, including his reworking of Steve V.s 'shredding' on a triple-neck guitar. Well, apparently, Stevie's ego couldn't take it, and he threatened Youtube with legal action...next thing anyone knows, all of the guy's work was removed. Thanks a lot, Steve...if there's anything this old world doesn't need, it's a good hearty laugh.

I mean really...if Carlos Santana didn't mind, what's Steve's problem?

Hey, Steve: a little advice from one of your former mentors:

"Shut up and play yer guitar!"

[royclough]

They're all at it perhaps Satriani is suing this lot as well

[cjj]

I'm starting to think all songs sound alike...

[rickenbrother]

I'm much more of a Satriani fan than I am a Coldplay fan, but I think this case is ridiculous.

I thought the case of Phil Spector going after George Harrison for "My Sweet Lord" was ridiculous also.

[whojamfan]

I find it hypocritical that Kieth Richards was so hell bent on suing(was it The Verve?)because he felt their hit was a copy of "Last Time". Such outcry coming from a man who built his career ripping off other artists.

It was the owner of the company that controls the rights to the Stones' Decca catalogue, not the band, and it wasn't just that they copied the riff, they sampled an entire section. Keith had nothing to do with the lawsuit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_verve

I'm going off some interviews I've seen of Kieth bashing the Verve and complaining that they stole his song and got what they deserved. It was very easy to come to that conclusion by his mannerisms, and may actually have said he, rather than the record company, sued them.

[cjj]

Apparently, this sort of thing happens all the time in the music business. If you want a book that goes into the details of a lot of these cases, check out:

Sounds Like Teen Spirit: Stolen Melodies, Ripped-Off Riffs, and the Secret History of Rock and Roll
by Timothy English