On this day in 2008, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani sued Coldplay for copyright infringement. In Satriani v. Martin et al., the guitarist alleged that Coldplay’s hit song “Viva La Vida” infringed his song “If I Could Fly.” The two parties settled in 2009.
You can listen to a comparison of the two songs here.
A copy of the complaint can be found here.
On this day in 2007, the copyright owner of the song “When You Wish Upon A Star” sued the makers of Family Guy for copyright infringement.
On this day in 1997, the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals held that a television station’s unauthorized broadcast of footage from the Rodney King riots was not fair use.
On this day in 2008, guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani sued Coldplay for copyright infringement.
On this day in 2007, Barry Bonds was indicted for making false statements to a grand jury regarding his use of steroids.
On this day in 2007, a federal court held that the First Amendment protects the right of fantasy sports leagues to use statistics and players’ names without permission.
On this day in 1983, a federal court held that the television show “The Greatest American Hero” did not infringe the rights to Superman.
On this day in 2009, David Letterman announced on air that he was a victim of an extortion attempt.
On this day in 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the U.S. Constitution.
On this day in 1985, the New York Supreme Court held that John McEnroe was not liable for threatening, and then taking a swing towards, a fan at the U.S. Open.
On this day in 1997, the Ninth Circuit held that the National Enquirer violated the Lanham Act and the California right of publicity by publishing an “exclusive interview” with Clint Eastwood that never actually occurred.
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