Axl Rose is suing Activision, the maker of Guitar Hero, for $20 million. What did Activision do to gain Rose’s unwanted attention? By using Slash’s image in Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock. Rose claims Activision violated an agreement that would allow the game to use the song “Welcome To The Jungle” as long as no image of the ex-GN’R guitarist was used. However, Activision not only used Slash as a character you could unlock in the game, but also featured an animated depiction of him on the cover of Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock. Slash even helped out to promote the game in commercials and public appearances. Guess who was pissed about this?
The filed complaint claims the following:
“[Activision] began spinning a web of lies and deception to conceal its true intentions to not only feature Slash and VRE [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’s lawyer Skip Miller added the following:
“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. The relief we are seeking is disgorgement of profits and compensatory and punitive damages.”
Ok, Activision might be in the wrong if they did indeed violate their deal with Axl Rose. But seriously, come on! $20 million?! That’s a bit much don’t you think? It’s sad enough that this shows how great of lengths Rose is going to say “fuck you” to Slash. Yet, what makes this even sadder is that Rose could be using his energy to focus on showing up to shows on time and promoting his own releases instead of suing others for “screwing up.” Sure, the new lineup is currently playing stadiums internationally, but how well did Chinese Democracy sell? Funny enough, MetalSucks reminded me that it’s been two years now since the long awaited and poorly promoted album was released. Have you bought the album yet? Mind you, I’m actually a supporter of the New GN’R. Imagine what non-supporters feel.
[via Reuters]
