Coldplay deny copying 'Viva la Vida'

Coldplay hit back against accusations they copied another artist’s work for the hit 'Viva La Vida'.

In a statement released in New York, the British band responded to a copyright infringement lawsuit

filed by guitarist Joe Satriani last week.

That claim alleges the Grammy-nominated song contains “substantial, original portions” of

Satriani’s 2004 song, 'If I Could Fly'.

Coldplay said: “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 Coldplay 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.”