Coldplay denies 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."