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    No Doubt Take Legal Action Over Computer Game Avatars

    • Posted on Nov 5th 2009 6:04AM by Stephen Dowling
    • Comments (33)
    Print |  Email More
    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.
    • Filed under: News, UK
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    Reader Comments(1 of 2)

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    Carlaat 11-06-2009

    Dude... while I bet that's hillarious to see, I can TOTALLY understand the band not wanting that to be made, and wanting a recall... I would.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportLowest Ranked

    DethKlokat 11-06-2009

    Bwa HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! RAHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HA HAAA!BRAHA HA HA BRA HA HA HA HA HA! YES! GET SOME!I hope Living Doll by Cliff Richards is on there.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Gailat 11-06-2009

    I m a fan of both the artists mentioned and the games as well. while I can see Stefani's point, folks, it's just a game. To my way of thinking, it doesn't detract from her character one bit because, well, it's not really her. The fact that I can play using Kurt Cobain's avatar is just awesome! I'm a huge fan and just another way to be able to show it is playing using his avatar. But seriously, guys, to get your undies in a knot over it is just a bit much. The people who are confident in themselves should just be able to sit back and have a laugh at their own expense. Given his propensity for cross-dressing, I imagine Kurt would if he were still around.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    bobat 11-06-2009

    cry some hwere else. if oyu going to sue them then why allow them to put any song in the game for? should have just declined to be put into the game in the first place then.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Alexat 11-06-2009

    That's so true. Why sue? I think this matter is more about money then what's actually being put in the game.

    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Miyoko Konigawaat 11-08-2009

    No Doubt is a real band. It's the band Gwen Stefani came from before she went solo.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    musicianat 11-06-2009

    Gee Thanos it sounds as though a rhino did take a dump in your ear.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    JJat 11-07-2009

    How is it that they got away for so many years not being considered clowns before this. I think the name fits...

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    Jadeat 11-06-2009

    Thanos, much as I can appreciate your opinions on the matter - I'm not a great fan of Stefani either - kindly learn to spell before posting a rant? It would make things a great deal easier.

    As for the game itself, No Doubt should have requested full disclosure from the manufacturers on how their avatars could and would be used before they authorized them in the first place. I have no sympathy. They're certainly making enough money off of it regardless.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    scotch43at 11-06-2009

    so we can safely say you don't like "no doubt"

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    H Butlerat 11-06-2009

    Mr. Dowling needs to use grammar checker. "No Doubt claim the band were only due . . ." should be written "No Doubt claims the band was only due . . ."

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    antdiggerat 11-07-2009

    Haha, I love when people post absolutely pointless statements like this. So basically you read this and thought, "I have no opinion on the story itself but I did see a mistake in how he wrote it. Let me inform the author and everyone else who reads the comments that I know how to type this correctly." So yeah, you're one of 'those' people and nobody likes 'those' people.

    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    karenbat 11-06-2009

    Wow, Bill. You're either a senior citizen or you've been living under a rock. You've never heard of No Doubt?

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    JUST A GUYat 11-07-2009

    Thanos, You are quite obviously a pinhead with a 5th grade ability spell or create a sentence that has a cohesive thought in it. (I'm assuming you have NO IDEA what I just said.)

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Ari of Lightat 11-07-2009

    Does this lawsuit coincide with a new album release..hmm

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    byronat 11-07-2009

    no doubt was pretty cool, right up until gwen left the band and did her solo stuff. the entire issue with the game is rediculous, althoughi can somewhat see how it could be upsetting, doesnt stefani make enough off royalties from performances, album sales, public appesrences,her clothing line, perfume lineetc. not to mention money her husband gets from sales of items relating to her husbands band bush....
    as for singing cliff richard's living doll, only would be cool if they used the voice of rik mayall the way he sang it on the young ones.

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHighest Ranked

    Jbmdogat 11-07-2009

    Lighten up No Doubt, IT A GAME! How care is Gwen can sing as a man, woman, dog, cat, or Wildabeast....IT A GAME. Looks like No Doubt has lost touch with their roots and are now sue happy megastars like everyone else. Sad!

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Potato Headat 11-07-2009

    Thanos must be GAY if he thinks Gwen Stefani looks like a washed up drag queen!!

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportHigh Ranked

    Ianat 11-07-2009

    wow. that's quite detailed. agreed

    Reply
    vote downvote upReportNeutral

    Ianat 11-07-2009

    The Guitar Hero company is killing themselves. the music they have been picking on all the different games SUCK. SUCKS BAD. Now they are getting their asses sued by everyone. soooo.... they're losing money due to lack of good music on games so less purchases, the fact that the gameplay has been sucking due to them working mostly on graphics and characters, getting sued by everyone, and so on and so on. i would not be surprised if the next set of games has no one in it. i sure wouldnt wanna risk getting sued again

    Reply
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