Guns 'N Roses Sueing Activision for $20M

[tuanmai]

Axl Rose sues Activision over breaking agreement not to include Slash in Guitar Hero III.

Guns 'N Roses Sueing Activision for $20M : Read more

 

[gurboura]

When is Axl going to die?

 

[hellwig]

If they agreed not to do that, then Axl has a point. And no, this isn't about copyright or anything else, this is purely about a violation of contract between the two parties.

Still, I'm surprised Axl is so upset about Slash. I thought he was willing to share his free Dr. Pepper with Slash, makes it strange he's so upset about a Slash playable-character.

 

[makaveli316]

I hope he gets 200M from Activision, they need to go to hell

 

[icepick314]

[citation][nom]gurboura[/nom]When is Axl going to die?[/citation]

he died about same time as Metallica, U2, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and few others stopped caring about the fans, disregarded digital age, and became license sellout....

 

[AerieC]

Chinese Democracy didn't sell as well as you expected, eh Axl?

 

[sunflier]

Sounds like these old croonies are low on $$$.

 

[thesupermedium]

Never liked them anyway, not after Slash was kicked out at least.

 

[kinggraves]

No, Skip, the lawsuit is about Axl Rose trying to make some money since he's the poster boy for rock has-beens. He MIGHT have something to go on with a misuse of the song in a commercial, depending on what the contract states. The part about Slash being used has zero ground whatsoever though, since Axl isn't Slash and doesn't own his likeness in any way. Even if Slash himself wanted to sue, there's little to go on since it's just a lookalike. It isn't a crime to look like someone else.

 

[festerovic]

Why can't MUSICIANS just worry about MUSIC?

 

[sliem]

[citation][nom]festerovic[/nom]Why can't MUSICIANS just worry about MUSIC?[/citation]
They did... then along came lawyers...

 

[Phesto]

Musicians need coke money to get creative, cocaine is a hell of a drug. Rest in Peace Rick.

 

[adiposity]

The idea that you can prevent someone from using their "image" is retarded. Granted, if you put their name on it and actually represent them, that's one thing. But if it just looks like them, that's just dumb.

I mean, obviously they were trying to get around the agreement, but it seems like a perfectly legal way to do so. Unless they made an agreement that no one resembling Slash could ever be in the game, they should be safe.

 

[adiposity]

Also...

I thought this issue was decided back when Vampira sued Elvira.

 

[belardo]

Axel was a talented has-been, really - when was his last original song? His ego destroyed the band, his attitude is unlikeable and overall not a person many people have interests in. Yes, he made some great songs... about 20 years ago, nothing more. But with that said, a contract is a contract that Activision should have followed, even if Axel has an ego problem about a previous band-member and needs to grow up and stop being a 50year old whiny baby.

Actually, when it comes to celebrities, the use of their "likeness" is subject to legitimate lawsuits.

They make their money off their face and/or persona. So yes, Slash does have a stake in his likeness. If Axel is able to sue in breach of contract (which if THESE details are in the contract), then it ALSO validates Slash's rights in the video game for which HE should receive royalties.

 

[Lewis57]

I can't wait for him to die, he's destroying the memory of GnR.

 

[adiposity]

[citation][nom]WhySoBluePandaBear[/nom]Look alike huh? How many look alikes will have a top-hat, curly hair, glasses, a nose piercing and happen to be a guitar rock star? Activision without doubt had the intention of people wanting to think this to be Slash. They knew Slash was a rock star icon and knew it would boost sales. Seriously, name me ANY other rock stars who wore top hats, had long, dark curly hair and a nose piercing. That's like copying someone's entire career image and instead of them having brown eyes, they give them green eyes, and try to play that "It's different" card. We all know the intent of Activision. on this one...It wasn't some coincidence.[/citation]

Look, I have no illusions that they accidentally copied Slash's image. Of course they did! The point is, you can't own an image! See the Vampira vs. Elvira lawsuit for an example of this.

Activision can easily claim they were just using the image of one of the many Slash impersonators, which also are legally in the clear.

If you just look at your silly statement "How many look alikes will have a top-hat, curly hair, glasses, a nose piercing and happen to be a guitar rock star," the problem becomes clear.

Most of the attributes you mentioned are mundane items and millions of people have them. With the exception of the top hat, probably thousands have all of them combined. Undoubtedly, there are some that even wear the top hat and are impersonators (which is not illegal). You seem to be giving special rights to the "rock star" just because he is famous. Looking a certain way and being famous does not give you the right to cash every time someone or something looks like you.

"That's like copying someone's entire career image"...

Artists often copy each other's images, by dressing, looking or acting like another artist. This is not illegal. It's how fads occur (hair bands, for example).

 

[zak_mckraken]

GH3 is 3 years old. Did he just picked up on that?

 

[pinkfloydminnesota]

stopped caring about the fans?

The band had it's time two decades ago ... anyone who continues to be a fan of a musical group that long needs live.

 

[firebee1991]

[citation][nom]kinggraves[/nom]No, Skip, the lawsuit is about Axl Rose trying to make some money since he's the poster boy for rock has-beens. He MIGHT have something to go on with a misuse of the song in a commercial, depending on what the contract states. The part about Slash being used has zero ground whatsoever though, since Axl isn't Slash and doesn't own his likeness in any way. Even if Slash himself wanted to sue, there's little to go on since it's just a lookalike. It isn't a crime to look like someone else.[/citation]

If you play the game, there is eventually a guitar battle with someone who looks exactly like Slash, and it says "Slash wants to do a guitar battle with you!". Just saying.