No Doubt Suing Activision Over Band Hero Characters

11/04/09 6:09pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

No Doubt are suing Activision for breach of contract and fraudulent inducement over their Band Hero avatars, which will appear in the just-released video game.

The band say they were only told their likenesses would be used in three No Doubt songs, and instead discovered users can use the characters to play and sing other bands' songs.

"Without the band's knowledge or approval Activision turned the group into virtual karaoke players by having them perform over 60 additional by other musical groups," a statement by the band reads.

"Additionally Activision allowed the groups [sic] character to be isolated into solo performances of these cover songs and placed randomly in countless variations contrary to the agreement between the parties."

TMZ reports of particular irritation is that singer Gwen Stefani can be used to sing songs by male artists, including The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women," which is "a song which contains lyrics about 'having sex with prostitutes.'"

No Doubt want an injunction placed on the game to prohibit the "unauthorized use" of their name and images, according to TMZ.

The band also say they have repeatedly asked Activision to fix these problems and honour their contract, but Activision said it was "too expensive."

A Kurt Cobain avatar that was used in Activision's Guitar Hero 5 caused a similar uproar earlier this year. Courtney Love, Cobain's widow, said Activision did not tell her users would be able to "unlock" the character and use Cobain's avatar to sing others' songs, including Bon Jovi tunes.

Band Hero came out on Tuesday (Nov. 3).