EMI is using the full force of copyright law and its deal with YouTube to pull the videos that show the strong comparisons between Coldplay song "Vida La Vida" Joe Satriani's "If I Could Fly". "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by EMI Music" reads the banner across the offending videos including the one Hypebot had posted here. (click play).
While well within their legal rights to yank the videos, EMI's actions serve as a reminder of how copyright laws can be used for selective censorship. Most labels have deals that allow YouTube users to post cover versions or for example place music behind a home video. Would a video of a female fan dancing seductively to "Vida La Vida" been censored?
As of 7AM EST on Tuesday, is a still viewable comparison video; at least until Hypebot's readers at EMI get in to work...
