Axl Sues Guitar Hero For $20m
The GNR frontman really doesn\'t want to be associated with Slash
Axl Rose is suing the makers of popular video game Guitar Hero for $20m after they included a character based on his former bandmate Slash in the game along with music by Velvet Revolver.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that the $20m lawsuit was filed against Guitar Hero maker Activision Blizzard at the Los Angeles Superior Court claiming that its use of the GNR song ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ violated a deal not to include any imagery of ex-guitarist Saul Hudson (aka Slash) in the game.
"Activision began spinning a web of lies and deception to conceal its true intentions to not only feature Slash and VR prominently in GH III but also promote the game by emphasizing and reinforcing an association between Slash and Guns N' Roses and the band's song 'Welcome to the Jungle,' " the complaint states.
When Rose found out that a Slash-like chararacter and Velvet Revolver songs would be included in GH II, he says he immediately rescinded the authorization for "Jungle," but Activision allegedly lied and told him the inclusion was just for the purposes of a trade show. Then GH III came out and its box cover featured "an animated depiction of Slash, with his signature black top hat, long dark curly hair, dark sunglasses and nose-piercing," according to the complaint. In short, the former GNR guitarist was all over GH III, enraging Rose.
Rose also claims that the GNR song "Sweet Child O' Mine" was used in an online promotion for GH III despite being licensed only for GH II. He wants $20 million in damages from sales of the popular game.
"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 lawyer Skip Miller says. "The relief we are seeking is disgorgement of profits and compensatory and punitive damages.”
Activision are yet to respond to the lawsuit