Activision being Sued over Guitar Hero 3

[H2O TankBusta]

The Romantics have filed a federal lawsuit against Activision Inc., the maker of "Guitar Hero," saying the popular video game infringes on the band's rights by featuring a soundalike recording of its 1980 hit "What I Like About You."

"Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s" features a soundalike recording of The Romantics hit "What I Like About You."

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in the group's hometown of Detroit, seeks unspecified damages.

The song is one of about 30 songs featured on "Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the '80s."
The band also is seeking an injunction that could take the best-selling game off store shelves.

A copyright claim is not the issue for the Romantics.
The band's attorneys tell the Detroit Free Press for Thursday's edition that Activision properly secured permission to use "What I Like About You," allowing it to record a cover version.

But they say by creating an imitation so much like the Romantics' original, the California-based company infringed on the group's rights to its own likeness.
Activision representatives did not return calls for comment from the Detroit Free Press.

Taken from CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/11/22/guitar.hero.suit.ap/index.html).
I think this is a bunch of crap and wont last that long in the court - what do you all think?

[qwikstrik3]

it claims that it could take the best selling game off of store shelves.

rock the 80's was for ps2 only... probably the least bought guitar hero so far... if they take the one game off the store shelves then they shouldnt have to worry about it. its not like anything is messed up in GH2 or GH3.



i betchya quite a bit of fans will be disappointed in that band now. sort of like when metallica went all bananas on napster.

[H2O TankBusta]

Oh.. I thought rock the 80's was GH3 xD...

Shows you how much I know on GH

[Freakstylez]

Except The Romantics don't have any fans. They're a one-hit wonder and this is probably the best publicity they they've ever had, and will ever have.

Then again, I hate when bands pull stunts like this.

[Chaoswarrior634]

I don't even know who the romantics are...

[PMS rottentreats]

Ditto!

[KRL87]

definitely bull..
they gave rights.
a cover is a cover no matter how it sound
plus.. if you go to see a cover band or something
they're aim is to imitate the band.
yep
bull

[Black Capone]

l don't know many rock bands, since l really don't care for the music generally, but this is some dumb bull......l gotta stop cursing so much lol. This would be like some lame rapper like.......hmm......Yung Joc complaining about EA using one of his songs in the game. lf you're not popular, that should be a booster for you! You shouldln't sue the people for that! ls that the thanks they get for trying to help out your career?!!!

[FearFromWithin]

Except The Romantics don't have any fans. They're a one-hit wonder and this is probably the best publicity they they've ever had, and will ever have.

Then again, I hate when bands pull stunts like this.

Couldnt of said it any better myself

[BlackwaterReap]

Nothing more than a publicity stunt, as mentioned earlier this is the most publicity they've had in a while and may even see a boost in their sales (people buying the single to see how close to the GH version it is etc).

To be honest, we only have Activisions word that they obtained the rights and im sorry to be a killjoy but if the band has told them that they cant use it, then they shouldnt be using it, i think this is more of a case of Activision thinking "they wont do anything,they are one hit wonders, and we're the daddies"

[H2O Commando]

Just another sucky band trying to raise money.......

[H2O Snake]

Its surprising because from what I have heard most bands are honored to be in Guitar Hero and good amount contacted Activision to be in their games. Same with EAs Rock Band.

I also thought they legally cover themselves as they say "As Made Popular by x". I think you can legally reprofom music as long as you credit the artist who orginally preformed it.

Lets use Britney for an example. She reproformed My Prerogative. I guess she should get sued cause Bobby Brown originally sang it even if she seeked permission. It specifically states that they gave permission.

[BumbleBee]

l don't know many rock bands, since l really don't care for the music generally, but this is some dumb bull......l gotta stop cursing so much lol. This would be like some lame rapper like.......hmm......Yung Joc complaining about EA using one of his songs in the game. lf you're not popular, that should be a booster for you! You shouldln't sue the people for that! ls that the thanks they get for trying to help out your career?!!!


really there only doing this to increase sales.

[H2O Gangsterism]

wow... band from up here*... to down here _
horrible
if i wrote a song, and it was put on GH(any1 of the games) i would be like excited. but w.e
that band is retarded

[PMS BiznessTime]

I think they are trying to have their 15 minutes of fame -- again. :mad: