No Doubt sue over computer game

6th Nov 2009

No Doubt are suing the makers of a music video game.

The American rock group agreed to have their name and likenesses used in 'Band Hero', but the band's manager, Jim Guerinot, said they were "mortified" to find out that players could use singer Gwen Stefani to perform other artists' songs.

Guerinot said: "They're just like, 'What? We didn't sign up for this,' "

No Doubt - whose hits include 'Don't Speak' and 'Just A Girl' - are suing the game's manufacturers Activision for breach of contract and fraudulent inducement.

Activision said it "believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band".

The band say they agreed to let characters with their names and likenesses perform three No Doubt songs in the game, but complained that the finished product allowed members to be played individually.

The band are seeking damages, a distribution injunction, and want the company to recall existing copies, but Activision say a signed agreement means the lawsuit is "without merit".

In September, former Nirvana members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl said they were "dismayed and very disappointed" after the band's late frontman Kurt Cobain was used in a similar way in another Activision game.

Activision said that Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, had provided a written agreement which allowed the use of the singer's likeness as a fully-playable character in 'Guitar Hero 5'.