Axl Rose sues Activision over breaking agreement not to include Slash in Guitar Hero III.
Guns N' Roses front man, Axl Rose filed a law suit against Activision on Tuesday for their characterization of former Guns N' Roses guitarist, Saul Hudson aka Slash.
Rose claims that Activision broke their agreement by including both Slash and the band's hit song "Welcome to the Jungle". He states that in purchasing the rights to the song, Activision agreed not to make reference to Slash or his new band, Velvet Revolver; however, Rose later found a character on the cover of the game that resembles Slash with his signature black top hat, long curly hair, sunglasses and nose piercing.
In addition to including Slash, Activision also used the Guns N' Roses song, "Sweet Child O' Mine" in an online advertisement for Guitar Hero III, while only purchasing a license for Guitar Hero II.
"This lawsuit is about protecting Guns N' Roses and 'Welcome to the Jungle,' and is about holding Activision accountable for its misuse of these incredibly valuable assets," Rose's lawyer Skip Miller said. "The relief we are seeking is disgorgement of profits and compensatory and punitive damages."
Rose is seeking $20 million from Activision for their alleged negligence.
he died about same time as Metallica, U2, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and few others stopped caring about the fans, disregarded digital age, and became license sellout....
They did... then along came lawyers...
Still, I'm surprised Axl is so upset about Slash. I thought he was willing to share his free Dr. Pepper with Slash, makes it strange he's so upset about a Slash playable-character.
Still, I'm surprised Axl is so upset about Slash. I thought he was willing to share his free Dr. Pepper with Slash, makes it strange he's so upset about a Slash playable-character.
he died about same time as Metallica, U2, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and few others stopped caring about the fans, disregarded digital age, and became license sellout....
They did... then along came lawyers...
I mean, obviously they were trying to get around the agreement, but it seems like a perfectly legal way to do so. Unless they made an agreement that no one resembling Slash could ever be in the game, they should be safe.
I thought this issue was decided back when Vampira sued Elvira.
Actually, when it comes to celebrities, the use of their "likeness" is subject to legitimate lawsuits.
They make their money off their face and/or persona. So yes, Slash does have a stake in his likeness. If Axel is able to sue in breach of contract (which if THESE details are in the contract), then it ALSO validates Slash's rights in the video game for which HE should receive royalties.
Look, I have no illusions that they accidentally copied Slash's image. Of course they did! The point is, you can't own an image! See the Vampira vs. Elvira lawsuit for an example of this.
Activision can easily claim they were just using the image of one of the many Slash impersonators, which also are legally in the clear.
If you just look at your silly statement "How many look alikes will have a top-hat, curly hair, glasses, a nose piercing and happen to be a guitar rock star," the problem becomes clear.
Most of the attributes you mentioned are mundane items and millions of people have them. With the exception of the top hat, probably thousands have all of them combined. Undoubtedly, there are some that even wear the top hat and are impersonators (which is not illegal). You seem to be giving special rights to the "rock star" just because he is famous. Looking a certain way and being famous does not give you the right to cash every time someone or something looks like you.
"That's like copying someone's entire career image"...
Artists often copy each other's images, by dressing, looking or acting like another artist. This is not illegal. It's how fads occur (hair bands, for example).
The band had it's time two decades ago ... anyone who continues to be a fan of a musical group that long needs live.
If you play the game, there is eventually a guitar battle with someone who looks exactly like Slash, and it says "Slash wants to do a guitar battle with you!". Just saying.