Gwen Stefani's No Doubt have filed a lawsuit against Activision over its latest Guitar Hero spin-off, Band Hero.
Just like Courtney Love, No Doubt's four members (Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal, and Adrian Young) are unhappy that their 'Hero likenesses can be used to perform other musicians' songs.
Speaking to the LA Times, the band's manager Jim Guerinot claimed that Activision "transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act".
He added: "The band are bitterly disappointed that their name and likeness was taken and used without their permission. They agreed to play three No Doubt songs as a band...Activision then went and put them in 62 other songs and broke the band up [and] never even asked."
Apparently Stefani specifically disapproves of singing the Rolling Stones' Honky Tonk Woman, stating that "the Character Manipulation Feature results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes."
Activision responded (via Game Informer) and claimed that it's "within its legal rights".
"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," a spokesperson said.
"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."
Bandwagon after the Cobain case. This is artists wailing because they haven't been offered solo packs yet. You can't tell me that neither No Doubt nor Nirvana got famous without playing a single cover, so the game is no different.
At this rate they'll just remove every real-life character from all future games, meaning no free publicity for any of these bands.
I'd be stoked if Activision put Albany Down in a Guitar Hero game, playing covers or otherwise.
Bands and artists are so quick to sign these video game licensing contracts because they're instant paydays. From recent events (first Kurt, now No Doubt), it seems that these guys are signing their likenesses away and not really realising.
Music licensing contracts all look pretty much the same so they may have just signed it without reading it at all, in which case it's very much their own fault.
Activision are smart enough to keep doing this over and over without being sued.
If I was a singer/in a band and my mug got used in one of these games being able to play any song off the playlist, then I'd be happier. After all if someone loved me/my music enough to want to use my character as much as possible then that'd be a fan service in itself, and if anything would give me more publicity.
Yes I agree it might be taking it a bit too far if a female can play a male vocal song or vica versa but still they should stop their bitching and be glad they're in the game at all
Never even heard of the band, until 'Gwen' was mentioned, having heard her sing a few somgs well over a year ago. Perhaps that relates to the real reason why they sue...?
Never even heard of the band, until 'Gwen' was mentioned, having heard her sing a few somgs well over a year ago. Perhaps that relates to the real reason why they sue...?
No Doubt have been around for over 20 years. During that time they've had eight top twenty hits, three of which were in the top five.
Their 1996 song "Don't Speak" spent 16 weeks at number one in the American Billboard Hot 100 Airplay, which at the time was a new record... a record that has only been beaten once in the 13 years since its release.
I think it's safe to say that you are very much in the minority if you've never heard of No Doubt. I also think it's safe to say you REALLY need to leave your house far more often.
Never even heard of the band, until 'Gwen' was mentioned, having heard her sing a few somgs well over a year ago. Perhaps that relates to the real reason why they sue...?
No Doubt have been around for over 20 years. During that time they've had eight top twenty hits, three of which were in the top five.
Their 1996 song "Don't Speak" spent 16 weeks at number one in the American Billboard Hot 100 Airplay, which at the time was a new record... a record that has only been beaten once in the 13 years since its release.
I think it's safe to say that you are very much in the minority if you've never heard of No Doubt. I also think it's safe to say you REALLY need to leave your house far more often.
In fairness, Don't Speak was a long time ago, and the band sort of disbanded not too long after that, so it's somewhat understandable if people aren't that familiar with them now. Gwen Stefani I'd have expected to be more recognisable due to her solo career though.
Me? I used to barrel around drunk to Just A Girl in rock clubs back when it came out
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
