No Doubt sues Activision over Band Hero

Pop music group No Doubt has announced that it is suing Activision for a break of contract in recent rhythm game, Band Hero. The group is claiming that it never agreed for avatars in it's likeness to perform songs by other bands.

The legal dispute is the same as the one bought to Activision by Courtney Love over Kurt Cobain's avatar in Guitar Hero 5, that it was never agreed that the likeness could be used to perform songs by other groups.

"Without the band's knowledge or approval, Activision turned the group into virtual karaoke players by having them perform over 60 additional songs by other musical groups," said the band's lawyers in a statement, according to Gamasutra.

No Doubt says it has already requested that Activision change the use of their avatars in the game, but that Activision has refused to do so on the grounds that it would be too expensive to bother.

"Activision has a written agreement to use No Doubt in Band Hero - an agreement signed by No Doubt after extensive negotiations with its representatives," goes the official Activision statement.

"As a result, Activision believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band members in the game and that this lawsuit is without merit."

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