No Doubt suing Activision over Band Hero appearance

[Archie]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/musi...band-hero.html

Rock band No Doubt has filed a real-world lawsuit over its virtual role in the just-released Band Hero edition of the Guitar Hero video game series, claiming that the game has “transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act,” singing dozens of songs the group neither wrote, popularized nor approved for use in the game. In a suit filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, the band alleges that Santa Monica-based Activision, the maker of the game, has far exceeded the contractually approved use of likenesses, or avatars, of band members Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young. An Activision spokesman said the company had not seen the complaint yet and therefore had no comment. The suit also charges that the game allows users to manipulate their characters to sing songs popularized by other pop music acts. No Doubt’s contract with Activision allowed the company to use the band’s music and likenesses in no more than three of the band’s own songs, the suit states. The game, which was released Tuesday, puts the group members’ images, collectively and individually, into more than 60 songs, “many of which include lyrics, contained in iconic songs, which are not appropriate for No Doubt and have not been and would not have been chosen by No Doubt for recordings or public performances.” Specifically, the suit notes that through the game’s Character Manipulation Feature, Stefani’s image can be induced to sing the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women.” “While No Doubt are avid fans of the Rolling Stones and even have performed in concerts with the Rolling Stones,” the complaint states, “the Character Manipulation Feature results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes.” It also states that bassist Kanal’s likeness can be manipulated to sing, in a female voice, one of No Doubt’s signature hits, “Just a Girl.” “Activision has deceived and confused the public into believing that No Doubt authorized the use of its name and likeness for the Character Manipulation Feature of Band Hero and that No Doubt approves and endorses the appearance of its members individually performing songs that are wholly inappropriate and out of character for No Doubt,” according to the complaint. The suit states that Activision executives withheld disclosure of the character manipulation feature, and refused the band’s request to remove or disable it in conjunction with the No Doubt avatars after the band learned how they were being used. The complaint says Activision officials told the band that doing so would be “too expensive.” The suit asks for unspecified actual and punitive damages, a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction and a permanent injunction against distribution of the game and for Activision to recall existing copies. -- Randy Lewis

This is very interesting since this is precisely what happened with the Kurt Cobain incident in Guitar Hero 5. I wonder if Activision is withholding information when presenting the contracts to the artists.

As an aside, LEGO Rock Band came out yesterday too and it features Queen, David Bowie and Iggy Pop. As far as I know, those artists can only perform their own songs, but feel free to correct me.

[speculawyer]

No doubt there is an issue here, this is Gwen to be interesting.

Yeah, that was crap.

[TheRagnCajun]

Once again, I suspect Activision covered their asses pretty well. Although it is interesting to see this happen again.

[corkscrewblow]

I wouldn't have expected anyone else to make this thread.

[Smokey]

Activision has to have very little goodwill as of now.

[Neuromancer]

I wish them luck. I think the way Activision has handled celebrities in the GH franchise has been, at best, poor game design. And at worst, vile and tasteless.

[explodet]

Where's the yeeeeahboooooy gif when you need it?

[Jax]

yeah for lawsuit

fuck you activision.

:)

[Happy Phantom]

No doubt there is an issue here, this is Gwen to be interesting. Yeah, that was crap.

Don't speak

[donkey show]

This shit is bananas.

[batbeg]

I'm conflicted... is there some way the judge can overrule and punish both sides?

[Shins]

Read the contract before signing, morons.

[Sunflower]

Well, No Doubt went about it a damn sight classier than Courtney Love did.

[Firestorm]

The complaint says Activision officials told the band that doing so would be “too expensive.”

No. It really wouldn't. Unless you have the worst programmers working on the worst code ever. It really wouldn't.

[XiaNaphryz]

If it comes to it, I'm sure Activision will settle this out of court with their MW2 profits.

[AlphaTwo00]

Read the contract before signing, morons.

The suit also charges that the game allows users to manipulate their characters to sing songs popularized by other pop music acts. No Doubt’s contract with Activision allowed the company to use the band’s music and likenesses in no more than three of the band’s own songs, the suit states.

I think they did.

[-PXG-]

Read the contract before signing, morons.

Who's to say that Activision didn't breach the contract themselves? If they didn't, sure it's No Doubt's fault they didn't go over the details.

[Hellsing321]

This pleases me.

[g35twinturbo]

[Magnus_Bulla]

This shit is bananas.

I laughed, not gonna lie.

Glad to see Activision getting sued over this. Although, you'd have to imagine a company as huge as Activision would make damn sure they were allowed to do it before they did. No doubt the wording of the contract or something makes it so they can do whatever they want with the avatars.

[BarrenMind]

Activision officials told the band that doing so would be “too expensive," after which they continued smugly boasting of rape.

Surely this isn't the second time this has happened. Surprised this isn't a class action lawsuit by now.

[Tzeentch]

Couldn't have happened to classier folks.

[painey]

I was watching a stream and they actually censor the lyric "whisky" in American Pie

[Shins]

I think they did.

Yeah, I'll take their word for it.

[GCQuinton]

Activision's been around that track a few times. It's not gonna happen like that.

[Wario64]

Watch Taylor Swift sue Activision for letting her avatar sing a song about sex

[Keyser Soze]

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

[corkscrewblow]

I was watching a stream and they actually censor the lyric "whisky" in American Pie

They censored "drunk" and "kill" in GH5. Not surprising.

[Zzoram]

I hope all the bad will Activision is getting results in musicians preferring Rock Band, especially after The Beatles Rock Band put to shame anything band-specific Activision has done.

[grandjedi6]

So what band is going to sign on with Guitar Hero 6, Band Hero 2, DJ Hero 2, Guitar Hero: Greatestest Hits, Guitar Hero: Another Band and Guitar Hero: DSi?

[bloodforge]

So can I use Taylor Swift and have her sing about sex with prostitutes as well?

[Bob Loblaw]

Circus Act? Why, no, not at all.

[twinturbo2]

"Rock band" and "No Doubt" are four words that shouldn't be anywhere near the same sentence.

[Stabby McSter]

lol, everyone hates activision now D:

[Combichristoffersen]

They are in a mess, a danger zone.

[Flek]

"Rock band" and "No Doubt" are four words that shouldn't be anywhere near the same sentence.

uh shut up no doubt are awesome

[twinturbo2]

Watch Taylor Swift sue Activision for letting her avatar sing a song about sex

... and Kayne West interrupt her and... ::gets hit in head by jarosh's skillet::

[The-Warning]

I'd be careful if I was No Doubt, suing Activision is like walking into spiderwebs.

[Square Triangle]

Lol Activision.

[TheRagnCajun]

Activision's been around that track a few times. It's not gonna happen like that.

Yeah I'm inclined to believe that Activision covered its ass. Doesn't mean they didn't try and conceal their intentions at all though. It really doesn't serve them well in the long run because they are damaging their relationship with artists and producers.

[Chorazin]

No. It really wouldn't. Unless you have the worst programmers working on the worst code ever. It really wouldn't.

Uhhh.....don't they?

[Kifimbo]

No. It really wouldn't. Unless you have the worst programmers working on the worst code ever. It really wouldn't.

I might be wrong, but a recall would be necessary, no ? Not everyone goes online. Especially on PS2 and Wii.

[Sho_Nuff82]

"Rock band" and "No Doubt" are four words that shouldn't be anywhere near the same sentence.

I purchased the song "Ex-Girlfriend" by No Doubt in Rock Band 2 (By EA) for my Xbox 360 computer entertainment system.

[Malio]

Activision being sued = good karma.

Rip 'em a new one, Gwench!

[Metal Gear?!]

“While No Doubt are avid fans of the Rolling Stones and even have performed in concerts with the Rolling Stones,” the complaint states, “the Character Manipulation Feature results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes.”

I thought Band Hero was the family-friendlier spinoff?

[Jocchan]

No Doubt suing Activision over Band Hero appearance

Whoever loses we win?

[magicalsoundshower]

this is Gwen to be interesting.

I really cringed at that one, good job!

Anyway, did they reform recently? 'Cause I had no idea. Their bass player is really good, by the way.

[Yeef]

"Rock band" and "No Doubt" are four words that shouldn't be anywhere near the same sentence.

Excuse me, Mr, but No Doubt is already in Rock Band.

If what's said in the article is true then it's pretty fucked up. There has to be some sort of law against withholding information when it comes to contract agreements.

[practice02]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/musi...band-hero.html This is very interesting since this is precisely what happened with the Kurt Cobain incident in Guitar Hero 5. I wonder if Activision is withholding information when presenting the contracts to the artists. As an aside, LEGO Rock Band came out yesterday too and it features Queen, David Bowie and Iggy Pop. As far as I know, those artists can only perform their own songs, but feel free to correct me.

Who cares? Is the real question.

[Grecco]

Oh noes they used Kurt to sing Public Enemies so lets sue !

I love how sue happy celebrities are. Good for them.