Thu, Nov 05, 2009 | 00:21 GMT
No Doubt files lawsuit against Activision over its use in Band Hero
No Doubt has filed a lawsuit against Activision what it calls misuse of its likeness in Band Hero, according to a report from Rolling Stone, citing that the firm turned the band into a “virtual karaoke circus act”.
Complaints in the filing consist of not only “fraudulent inducement” but also to “breach of contract” and the group has said that it disapproves of their likeness being used to sing songs by other artists.
Another complaint is that players can isolate band members out of the group.
“No Doubt agreed to place avatars containing their name and likeness performing three No Doubt songs in the upcoming Band Hero game of the Guitar Hero series from Activision,” read a statement from the group.
“Without the band’s knowledge or approval Activision turned the group into virtual karaoke players by having them perform over 60 additional songs by other musical groups.”
According to the report, No Doubt asked Activision to honor its contract, but the request was refused due to the cost of fixing it being “too expensive.”
Oh boy. Here we go again.
Activison’s response is through the break.
“Some of the world’s most popular and iconic artists have been featured in Guitar Hero as playable characters, and we are proud to count No Doubt among them,” Activision commented to IGN. “Activision has a written agreement to use No Doubt in Band Hero – an agreement signed by No Doubt after extensive negotiations with its representatives, who collectively have decades of experience in the entertainment industry.
“Pursuant to that agreement, Activision worked with No Doubt and the band’s management in developing Band Hero. As a result, Activision believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band members in the game and that this lawsuit is without merit. Activision is exploring its own legal options with respect to No Doubt’s obligations under the agreement.”
More through the links.
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Posted in: Activision Blizzard, DS, Hot, Legalities, Music, PS2, PS3, Rhythm action, Wii, Xbox 360
Tags: band hero, no doubt
13 comments
#1
Hunam
05/11/09, 12:55 am
So basically they’ve pulled this without really telling everyone and then wonder why everyone is getting so pissed off?
#2
Ashelia Bnargin Dalmasca
05/11/09, 2:51 am
Deja vu…
#3
Freek
05/11/09, 7:31 am
Yup, except this time they did it to people who do have a firm grasp of reality and the English language, so it could get interesting.
#4
Blerk
05/11/09, 8:55 am
Sounds like those contracts weren’t very clear. Or people didn’t read them very carefully.
#5
Tonka
05/11/09, 10:31 am
WTF is Band Hero? The music genre is getting out of hand.
#6
Hunam
05/11/09, 11:36 am
Band Hero is the pop version of Guitar Hero, and there is no doubt that the band had some decent lawyers read over the contracts.
#7
Hero of Canton
05/11/09, 1:49 pm
I can’t imagine that too many people would be bothered about being unable to use No Doubt (or indeed Kurt Cobain, Johnny Cash et al in GH5) outside their own songs. Activision could save themselves a lot of bother, and be far more respectful to the artists in question, by simply locking them to their own songs.
I reckon this and the Cobain furore will have a lot of musicians thinking twice about working with Activision in future.
#8
Tonka
05/11/09, 2:06 pm
Cheers Hunam, for a while I thought Band Hero was a new player on the “plastic instrument” scene.
#9
Blerk
05/11/09, 2:11 pm
It’s Activision’s answer to Rock Band. So it is sort of a new player.
#10
Hunam
05/11/09, 2:17 pm
Nah, it’s just Guitar Hero for girls.
#11
Gekidami
05/11/09, 2:19 pm
Never heard of the game myself.
#12
Blerk
05/11/09, 2:21 pm
It’s out tomorrow!
#13
Tonka
05/11/09, 2:31 pm
Activision’s answer to (who ever makes Rock Band)’s answer to Activision.
They are talking to themselves.