A recent posting on Yusuf Islam's (better known as Cat Stevens) website confirms that The Flaming Lips have been forced to turn over publishing royalties to Islam as part of a settlement over allegations that the Lips stole music from his early '70s track 'Father and Son' for their latest single 'Fight Test'.
The site read: "It was confirmed today that an agreement has been reached between Sony/ATV Music Publishing (Yusuf Islam) and EMI Music Publishing (Flaming Lips) over the single 'Fight Test' and its close resemblance to the Cat Stevens classic, 'Father and Son'. Royalties from the sale of 'Fight Test' will now be divided between both parties according to the agreed settlement."
Speaking to Jonathan Ross on Radio 2 this weekend Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne apologised for any similarities between his song and 'Father and Son', though he assured Islam the similarities were coincidental.