No Doubt suing Activision over Band Hero

Another Activision game, another musician angered. This time, No Doubt is suing over their likenesses being playable for all of the tracks in Band Hero.

No Doubt suing Activision over Band Hero

It wasn't even two months ago that Courtney Love led a tirade against Activision for including her late husband, Kurt Cobain in Guitar Hero 5. It seems as though the company hasn't learned its lesson as the LA Times reports (found via NeoGAF) that Band Hero, released this week, has earned the ire (and a lawsuit) from the members of No Doubt, who are angered by the fact that the band members can be used to play songs that the band never performed, saying the game allows for performances that are "wholly inappropriate and out of character for No Doubt".

With Band Hero including over 65 tracks, there are hundreds of unrealistic performances you could create with No Doubt's members, but the complaint lodged by the band chose a few highlights. Particularly, the fact that Gwen Stefani can sing the Rolling Stones song "Honky Tonk Women," as the complaint called it "an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes." The band wasn't even pleased with the way its own songs can be performed, as the complaint also noted that band member Tony Kanal can be chosen to sing "Just a Girl" in a female voice.

According to the complaint, Activision did not reveal the details of the band's inclusion in the game as characters, and when asked to have the band removed as playable characters, were told that the process to do so would be "too expensive."

We'll keep you updated on any further developments in Activision's latest legal squabble.

Comments [14]

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teh2Dgamer

Why even license the likenesses of musicians to begin with? I mean who give a damn. Unless it's something like Beatles Rock Band that specifically uses one band, and all their songs, there is absolutely no reason to have anything other than made up avatars.

They're less likely to sue that way.

FTPoed

It sounds like something that Metallica would do. Don't these artists get to see beta builds? It's a little late in game to have your "likeness" removed, no?

It would be like if I owned Shure microphones and I didn't like how she yarls into them to record her "music" and asked they re-do the tracks of an album already on the shelf with another brand of mic. Dumb.

StormKing

teh2Dgamer wrote:

Why even license the likenesses of musicians to begin with? I mean who give a damn. Unless it's something like Beatles Rock Band that specifically uses one band, and all their songs, there is absolutely no reason to have anything other than made up avatars.
They're less likely to sue that way.

I agree, or at least only limit them to their own songs.

Dadavinci

the fact that Gwen Stefani can sing the Rolling Stones song "Honky Tonk Women," as the complaint called it "an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes."

Well why the FUCK is that song on a CHILDRENS game ANYWAY??!?!?

361640
KarlB

dadavinci you have good point. And why have they never learned there leasson from frist time. Sooner you know it. The music star will owned activision. And tell the world. That oringal owneder are mental retards. And they deserived to die. And that the fact.

OptimalDruex

Um... Does anyone like No Doubt anyway? I sure as hell don't but I do agree with them about their likenesses being used for other songs. Thats just wrong. Kurt Cobain and Johnny Cash are both dead (may they rest in peace) but yet you can watch them prance around to new age crap. Thats just demoralizing to the person and the band. I like musicians in the game but please keep them to their songs and their songs only. Oh and Activision, stop milking the series... I would like my Band Hero download code now so I can play songs I wanted as DLC! Much thx!

patsfan365

those greedy bastards just want money. who gives a shit if they put you in a game without you signing a fucking paper? i mean, seriously. would any of you sue for being put in a game? asshole. i have no respect for people like them.

wariomangreat123

patsfan365 wrote:

those greedy bastards just want money. who gives a shit if they put you in a game without you signing a fucking paper? i mean, seriously. would any of you sue for being put in a game? asshole. i have no respect for people like them.

I agree.

Riff_it_up

Thats something Metallica would do? let me guess...you're one of those lil fags that still whine that Metallica sued Napster right??? LMFAO get over it gimps!....as for No Doubt..if they put thier name on the peice of paper w/o reading the fine print..thats thier dumbass fault!!..i mean..its fuking Activision..you better read ALL the print you see!!...just like that ho-bag Courtney..No Doubt prolly needs all the cash they can get anywayits more appauling to me that Courtney is milking Kurt's(Nirvana)name.

SilentGhosteye

I could never figure out the point of people suing a company just becuase they appear in a game, or they own a company themself and one of their products or company name appear in a game or movie. Thats pretty much a free advertisement and could make you even more popular. Why get all pissed off about that?

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