No Doubt Vs. Band Hero: Activision SUED For Making Stefani Sing The 'Stones'

LOS ANGELES — No Doubt is suing video game maker Activision for putting words in band members' mouths.

The band brought suit Wednesday against Activision Publishing Inc. over a feature in the new "Band Hero" game that allows players to control virtual band members and have them sing other artists' songs.

The lawsuit claims a feature allows players to have lead singer Gwen Stefani perform suggestive lyrics from the Rolling Stones' hit "Honky Tonk Women." The suit also notes a virtual version of bassist Tony Kanal can be made to sing his band's hit "Just a Girl," but with Stefani's voice.

The game, an offshoot of Activision's popular "Guitar Hero" series, went on sale Tuesday.

The company, which is based in Santa Monica, California, said in a statement that it engaged in extensive negotiations with No Doubt's management and have a valid written agreement for their participation in "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," the statement said. "Activision is exploring its own legal options with respect to No Doubt's obligations under the agreement."

No Doubt's lawsuit states the band objected to the "Character Manipulation Feature" in "Band Hero" that allows players to use No Doubt's likeness to perform other bands' songs, but Activision refused to change the game.

The feature turns the band "into a virtual karaoke circus act," the lawsuit claims.

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The band is seeking unspecified damages and an order barring Activision from using band members' likeness to perform other artists' songs.

In September, the widow and former bandmates of the late Kurt Cobain said they were dismayed that the likeness of the Nirvana frontman could be used to play songs by other artists in "Guitar Hero 5." Activision said they secured the necessary rights from the Cobain estate in a written agreement to use the singer's likeness as a fully playable character.

Taylor Swift and Adam Levine are the other musicians featured in the offshoot of the popular rhythm game franchise for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii and Nintendo DS.

Previous "Guitar Hero" editions have featured the likenesses of Jimi Hendrix, Billy Corgan, Sting, Ozzy Osbourne, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash and members of Aerosmith.

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On the Net:

"Band Hero," http://www.bandhero.com

Comments

[jmyoung666]

The front page headline for this article just sucks

"Band Hero's Activision SUED For Making Stefani Sing The 'Stones'"

Could that be worded more confusingly? Who edits the main page headlines - high school dropouts?

[alexolife]

The feature turns the band "into a virtual karaoke circus act".

What did they think they were signing onto?

[revue]

No Doubt a great.

Activision is a pos company.

[Palemoon]

These so-called "games" are really "crap". As one music magazine put it, if you really wanted your kid to learn something good, while encouraging them to get out more, get more excersize, etc, then it's by playing a REAL instrument, not a push-button-in-sync type of game that is no different than Madden football or Donkey Kong type games. Guitar Hero, Rock Band and others have nothing to do with music, making music or learning music. They are crap.

[AmandaBC]

"Guitar Hero, Rock Band and others have nothing to do with music, making music or learning music. They are crap."

Quoting my good friend Traci:

BEST POST EVER!

:)

[Eris23]

Well, for one, I don't think the point of any of these games is to teach people music. In the few times I've seen them in action, however, it was at parties. They've largely come to replace what a karaoke machine would be in some social settings. I don't see anything wrong with that, as it's good fun.

However, at the same time, I wouldn't completely sell the games short on teaching music either. On a very basic level, it involves some muscle training that will need to be developed over the course of learning various instruments. You could make the same case for rhythm, though when I've played it the visuals are sometimes off with the music here and there.

Additionally, I don't see how for younger people it wouldn't necessarily generate interest in learning to play an instrument. Media can have that affect on people. Look what it did for skateboarding.

As for the exercise bit, I don't see that at all. Having learned and played multiple instruments, performing them in public usually led to more unhealthy than healthy times. ;)

[AmandaBC]

"On a very basic level, it involves some muscle training that will need to be developed over the course of learning various instruments."

I read an article on a music magazine proving that these kind of games are actually counter-productive when it comes to kids wanting to learn real instruments. Once they try with a real instrument and they realize they won't get the same kind of "instant gratification" any soon, they will quickly drop it. I study classical guitar. It takes at least a year before you can play something decently.

[Dante in Madison]

No Doubt IS like a virtual karaoke circus act.

Maybe if they put out some REAL music they'd be worth supporting.

What a frivolous suit. They probably stand to make more money in royalties from the sale of the game then they do on their last CD.

[Eris23]

Agreed. There is simply no way that Activision presented them with a contract saying their likeness would only be used with their songs. Nor is it likely that No doubt's attorney, upon reviewing the contract, was thinking "well what if they use their face with other peoples' songs?" If their attorney had such a concern and put it in the contract, Activision wouldn't have done it, as it would be a clear loss for them. Activision contracted to use No Doubt's likeness in the game, and No Doubt singed off. So, they're now in the same leech category as Courtney Love. Excellent company to share. LOL!

[drkazmd65]

Jesus F'ing Christ,.....

It's a friggin' game,... It is NOT reality,... Are they gonna start objecting to cover bands performing their songs next? Karyoke?

'Cause I know all the words to 'Spiderweb',... and I (as a balding, middle-aged white dude with no singing voice) am not afraid to grab a mike at the local bar and do it,....

[shthar]

If the cover band had a few billion dollars in sales they might.

[gh0st]

Were this a singular case, I would jump on the "WTF???!?!?" bandwagon. However, since this is not the first complaint of this nature I am beginning to wonder if Activision didn't pull something sleazy.

As someone who has gone through the automobile sales experience a few times I can totally attest that "fully legal contract" in no way or shape is equivalent to "completely honest and straight forward."

[Saddler1]

God forbid No Doubt be made to look like they are singing a song by a good band.

[cellopaddy]

No doubt is no longer cool.

[seatech1]

No Doubt was better in their earlier incarnation than they are now. Gwen, as beautiful and talented as she is, didn't have very good music coming out when she was on her own. This could be for publicity, but there is "no doubt" that they are also a little miffed about the lack of control that they have over the characters.
Once you allow your images and music to be synthesized and altered, you've pretty much given away the store. The point being, once they allowed themselves to be put into a video game, it was all over.
In the near future, we'll be able to see virtual generic rock stars performing formulaic music, instead of seeing actual generic rock starts performing formulaic music.
Karaoke has actually taken over. And it is bad.

[purplejesus]

somebody needs to improve their lyrics geeesh

[Inquisitr]

Just making themselves look foolish. Hope this suit gets dimissed instantly

[Soundofthunder]

So No Doubt is worried that someone will make fake versions of them sing decent songs by the Rolling Stones.

Yeah, we can't have that now, can we?

[Squidkid]

As far as I'm concerned, No Doubt and the other "bands" featured in these games have always been "a virtual karaoke circus act".

If your art is so un-important to you that you sign your likeness and music over to Activision for dough then you don't get to cry about being a commodity.

[elspaniard]

Amen.

[shthar]

You do if activision violated the terms of the agreement.

I may agree to have revlon use my image to sell lipstick for example.

That doesn't mean revlon can then use my image for vaginal lipstick advertsing.

[factotem]

yes Gwen there's a world of difference between "singing suggestively" and dressing suggestively.