Axl Rose is suing a computer games company
The Guns N` Roses singer has launched legal action against Activision Blizzard Inc. for including the band`s song `Welcome to the Jungle` in the video game `Guitar Hero III`, claiming they are in breach of a deal he negotiated not to include any imagery of ex-guitarist Slash in the game.
The complaint - filed by law firm Miller Barondess on behalf of the star - claims Activision had promised there would be no reference to Slash or his subsequent band Velvet Revolver (VR) in the game, but when it was released, a computerised image of the star was on the cover of the box, and he was a very prominent character in the game.
The lawsuit states: "Activision understood the extraordinary value Guns N` Roses and `Welcome to the Jungle` could add to the Guitar Hero platform and began spinning a web of lies and deception to conceal its true intentions to not only feature Slash and VR prominently in `Guitar Hero III,` but also promote the game by emphasising and reinforcing an association between Slash and Guns N Roses and the band`s song `Welcome to the Jungle`."
The lawsuit goes on to claim as soon as Axl became aware of the use of Slash`s likeness he rescinded his permission to use the track, but Activision lied to him, telling him the inclusion was just for the purposes of a trade show.
It also states it believes the `Guitar Hero` series has generated well over a billion dollars in revenue for Activision. The games company has yet to respond to the allegations.
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