Joe Satriani Won't Crash Coldplay's Grammy Party

Band being sued for copyright infringement, but won't be served on awards night

By Breanne L. Heldman Feb 05, 2009 9:04 PMTags
ColdplayDave Hogan/Getty Images

Win or lose, Grammy night should no longer be a cold one for Coldplay.

The band is up for seven awards, but they're also the subject of a copyright infringement lawsuit from guitarist Joe Satriani, who claims the Chris Martin-fronted group plagiarized his 2004 instrumental track "I Just Wanna Fly" for their Record of the Year-contending hit "Viva la Vida."

The band has refuted this claim on its website, but Satriani and his lawyers are determined to move forward with the suit, although, contrary to previous reports, they won't be using the trophy night to serve Coldplay.

"We were going to attempt to serve them sometime this weekend while they were in Los Angeles, the Grammys being the most obvious time," Satriani's attorney, Howard King, tells E! News. "We had also considered the MusiCares event. However, we had a very fine lawyer contact us and assure us there’s no need to personally serve them. He will accept the papers on the band’s behalf."

For those of you thinking such a showdown might add a little zest to the awards show, you're not alone.

"All’s well that ends well," says King. "Too bad. It would have been pretty colorful, but also would have been very challenging."

At least pregnant M.I.A. is "due" to make a performance.

—Reporting by Whitney English