According to a legal complaint obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Rose is pissed that Guns N’ Roses hit “Welcome to the Jungle” was featured in the game alongside a virtual appearance from Slash. Rose claims that Slash’s appearance in the music game violates an agreement that specified absolutely no references to the ex-GNR guitarist or the band Velvet Revolver.
The legal complaint contends that “[Activision]began spinning a web of lies and deception to conceal its true intentions to not only feature Slash and [Velvet Revolver]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.”
Rose is further bothered that Guns N’ Roses track “Sweet Child O’ Mine” was used to promote Guitar Hero III, a song apparently only authorised for use in Guitar Hero II.
Rock band No Doubt sued Activision over its portrayal in 2009′s Band Hero, which the act claims transformed them into “virtual karaoke players.”
Activision was also threatened by Kurt Cobain’s widow over the Nirvana frontman’s inclusion in Guitar Hero 5.
Axl Rose Sues Activision for $US20M for Including Slash in ‘Guitar Hero’ [THR]
Ben
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 1:06 PMRock stars always wanting more.
Pathetic
Michael Podgornik
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 1:07 PMAnd will Bobby care or change his ways? Most likely not…
The Cracks
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 1:13 PMBit late to the party there, hey Axl?
oggob
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 1:55 PMlol, this is Axl though… he delays concerts because he is always late… it’s only fitting that he is about 3 years behind in the news.
Ad
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 3:49 PMThis is actually about 4 years early for him.
Kosta Tsoutas
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 1:16 PMSuing gaming companies. Thats so rock and roll
Chuloopa
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 1:51 PMAxl is just angry that he’s completely washed up..
Has anyone heard him sing recently? Man what a trainwreck.. at least Slash can still play guitar…
weresmurf
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 3:46 PMChrist tell me about it, I heard Chinese Democracy, thank god I didn’t buy it. What a TRAIN WRECK of an album!!!
Luke
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 4:10 PMIt was the Duke Nukem Forever of the music world.
Steve0410
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 3:47 PMSo… Axl is pissed off they’re using ANOTHER guy’s likeness in the game? Does own the GnR IP or something?
But if your game series is resorting to using in-game likenesses as a gimmick, I think you deserve it when totally washed-up, coked-out rockstars who are suing 3 years late.
PatMan
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 5:48 PM^^^ Congratulations most of you have successfully jumped on the kotaku opinion bandwagon! You are to be awarded for your highly developed independent thought process and reasoning abilities.
No really you suck.
Two parties made an agreement, lots of money to be made, one party breaks rules of agreement, someone gets sued.
Axl is entitled to compensation, and Activision will have to cough up. Read past the ambiguous article title and it will be clear.
The Cracks
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 6:31 PMOut of 10 comments, only 3 seemed to have ‘jumped on the bandwagon’, as you put it. Yes, Axl may have had an agreement with Activision-Blizzard with regards to the GnR IP and the use of Slash’s likeness in the games with reference to GnR material (given Axl and Slash’s relationship, it’s quite likely). However, Axl is also a bit of a douchebag. The vast majority of the comments here are a reflection upon Axl’s general behaviours, rather than a misinterpretation of the article.
alinos
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 8:08 PMexcept he’s bitching over nothing
the velvet revolver songs were released seperatly to GH:III so the whole velvet revolver thing is mute since there could be no cross promotion
and emphasising a relationship between slash and welcome to the jungle
come of it, he was part of the band he was part of the song to deny there is a relationship is stupid. Especially as it was co-written by him
Ryan Bowen
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 8:11 PMAh good wise PatMan, obviously you have a copy of the original contract since you make these bold claims of knowledge on the agreement?
Might you show me a copy, since you obviously have one?
PatMan
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 10:25 PMThe original contract is irrelevant when you consider ” 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,” ” – from referenced article. Also note that GH3 contains welcome to the jungle.
This means ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ has been used without permission. If Axl can prove he did not give permission he is entitled to compensation.
hristinho18
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 11:44 PM“Rose is pissed that Guns N’ Roses hit “Welcome to the Jungle” was featured in the game alongside a virtual appearance from Slash”
Tha very same Slash who co-wrote, then played the song in the recording and countless live performances? Or the other Slash…?
Would certainly be interesting to see some of Axl’s demanded contract clauses. “Don’t mention Slash”, “Don’t mention Velvet Revolver”, “Don’t mention my obvious and frequently demonstrated insanity”, “Dont mention Chinese Democracy, the single biggest album flop in music history”
Wow, the view sure is nice up here on this bandwagon…
Karachi King
Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 12:30 PMI read something about Axl whinging about this way back when GH3 came out, albeit in a less formal sense.
It’s certainly not a new thing that he is annoyed with Activision.