No Doubt Sues Activision Over Band Hero

Looks like No Doubt is joining Courtney Love in the pursuit of suing Activision.

Like Love and the remaining Nirvana members, the band originally from San Diego gave Activision permission to use their avatars in the the game, Band Hero (which is a variation of Guitar Hero) but they did also did not sign up for the No Doubt avatars to sing other bands’ songs.

We thought it was disturbing to see Kurt Cobain rap like Flava Flav or belt out Bon Jovi tunes, but to see No Doubt’s leading lady, Gwen Stefani, sing Rolling Stones‘ “Honky Tonk Women” is beyond comprehensible.

According to Reuters, No Doubt members and their lawyers say the feature “results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes,” Activision reponds by stating:

“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.”

Although there is no dispute in whether No Doubt members cashed a certain check as a form of permission for any uses Activision to go ahead with, they are making sure they are justified when they sue for “unspecified damages” as they attempt to prevent the company from distributing the game.

Since the game has already hit stores, the band is set out to recall all existing copies of the game as well.

Activision really seems to be upsetting a lot of musicians when the video game industry is supposed be helping the music industry. What do you think of Activision’s defense?