Spinner

No Doubt Take Legal Action Over Computer Game Avatars

No Doubt are taking legal action against the makers of the computer game 'Band Hero' for using their likenesses in their new game.

The band had signed a deal with computer game publisher Activision, but have claimed the company did not stick to the agreement.

No Doubt claim the band were only due to be playable characters performing three songs on the game, but the lawsuit says the band's avatars are playable in more than 60 songs.

In particular, the band are unhappy with the fact singer Gwen Stefani (pictured) can sing songs such as Marvin Gaye's 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' and the Rolling Stones' 'Honky Tonk Woman' in a man's voice.

The court documents said, "While No Doubt are avid fans of the Rolling Stones and even have performed in concerts with the Rolling Stones, the Character Manipulation Feature results in an unauthorised performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice choir boasting about having sex with prostitutes." In less formal terms, the band is claiming the game has "transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act."

No Doubt now want withdraw their endorsement of the game, and prevent unauthorised use of their likenesses through an injunction.

Activision were embroiled in a row with the estate of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain after his avatar could be used on the game 'Guitar Hero 5' to play songs by bands such as Bon Jovi.

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Drake Sued: Ex-Girlfriend Seeks…

The Boombox

Barry Brecheisen, Getty Images Drake has already admitted to making his…

Catwoman Pepper Sprays Ozzy Osbourne in…

Noisecreep

Total Assault Things on Hollywood Boulevard get pretty weird on a routine…

Cake, 'Mustache Man (Wasted)' -- Video…

Spinner

Artist: Cake Video: 'Mustache Man (Wasted)' Highlight: "We knew from the outset…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

34 Comments

Filter by:
The Health Dude

Interesting games for all fans and dedicated gamers from all continents. It is the best way to kill time. Thanks.

The Health Dude
http://www.ourhealthierliving.com

February 16 2010 at 5:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Richard

REally I am glad it happened to No Doubt, as no doubt everyone knows leader singer is a woof, she looks like a dogs breakfest, she has no talent, like most 14 year old pop stars that start out in thier rooms with a drum machien and have thier parents send in the tape. No Doubt deserves to lose and lose they will as Activision is in the total right, and will win and then we can trach No Doubt and sing and play as good as they are with cheap plastic intruments and make thier liknesses do other artists songs LOL, I also hope No Doubt goes into ruins over this sueing and fighting till they use up all thier money, and it costs them soooooo much lol.

December 22 2009 at 4:43 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jaco

Potato Head must be the gay one. Look at that pic above, she does look like a washed up drag queen!

No Doubt do suck too. Gwen Slutani's voice sounds like Cyndi Lauper, who also sucked. She doesn't really sing, she whines.

They are not even rock.

November 08 2009 at 10:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brian

The poor spelling was due to slipping things past the filter and lack of sleep add too it wayyy too much coffee. and yeah Rabbit i did borrow a quote from from the AVGN LOl gotta love his stuff glad someone noticed it. was hopeing someone would. I still say No Doubt sucks they were created by MTV so sell their prepackaged crap they call music like Madana and Celion Deion just crap girls with IQs lower than their bra size think is cool. They never were considered a rock band by anyone other than girls and music writers who also have no brians.

November 07 2009 at 10:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JR

bill - wake up and smell the coffee. If you have never heard of No Doubt I suggest you should get off the computer and go find out you clown.

November 07 2009 at 5:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
frank

uhm no dount. you are a circus act. get over yourselves. not that good of a band anyway.

November 07 2009 at 2:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rabbit69

Thanos...i agree that this is being taken a little to seriously. but you should really learn your own lines rather than steal them from the Angry Video Game Nerd...

November 07 2009 at 2:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
steve

I am willing to bet that these idiots just didn't realize what they were signing and now want to sue for their own ignorance. They probably just assumed that their virtual characters would only be used to play the bands own songs. What is more likely; Band full of idiots not reading their contract and only looking at the check or Activision risking a huge realize to put something rather insignificant in the game in violation of a contract? You can't answer that one correctly before getting to the end then you should go ahead and kill yourself for being stupid.

November 07 2009 at 2:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
blindedBYstupidity


you can select a female avatar to sing male songs in any rock game &
vise versa,ive played em all,rock band,guitar hero,etc,whats the
diff. if I make a char that looks just like her or if the game comes
with her already created,this is obviously a loop hole being taken
advantage of for the gain of $$$$$$,celebrities can never have enuff
& since she hasnt released a song worth a dam,I can see why shes
suing over spilt milk~ those that agree with her should join her in a
grp 'punch yourselves in the face'

November 07 2009 at 2:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason

No Doubt should be honest...it's not that they will be turned into a "circus act" that bothers them,it's the fact that Band Hero didn't make Gwen black enough. She is black isn't she? Hard to tell with all that rap junk she's been doing.

November 07 2009 at 2:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply