The former Cat Stevens joins Joe Satriani vs. Coldplay

By Eriq Gardner

C to C sharp, G to G sharp, throw in an E minor, follow it with an F minor, and so on...

This chord progression is quickly becoming the stuff of legal legend. 

In December, rock guitarist Joe Satriani sued Coldplay, alleging that the band's song "Viva La Vida" was a rip-off of Satriani's "If I Can Fly."

Now, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens says he came up with this tune in a 1973 song, "Foreigner Suite." Yusuf Islam says he has no plans to sue, but it could damage Satriani's claim.

Of course, to win a copyright claim Satriani will have to show his work was original enough to enjoy protection and prove that Coldplay's song is substantially similar.