Axl Rose Sues Activision For $20M Because Guitar Hero Shows Former GNR Guitarist Slash

from the that's-some-mighty-impressive-hatred dept

Mon, Nov 29th 2010 10:36pm — Mike Masnick

How much does Guns 'N Roses singer Axl Rose hate former guitarist Slash? So much that he's suing Activision for $20 million because Activision included a virtual version of Slash in the latest version of Guitar Hero, despite claimed promises not to do so. While the likelihood of success may depend on contract specifics, it does seem rather silly to care about this. The claim that "This lawsuit is about protecting Guns N� Roses," is obviously bogus. There is nothing about "protecting" involved here.

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Filed Under: axl rose, guitar hero, lawsuits, slash
Companies: activision

17 Comments

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marak (profile), 29 Nov 2010 @ 10:43pm

So who's going to sue about the devil being in it(assuming it is from a version my little sister plays). The church?
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visual77 (profile), 29 Nov 2010 @ 10:47pm

Guitar Hero 3
This lawsuit isn't even about the "latest version of Guitar Hero". The particular version he is griping about is several years old, with multiple GH games coming out since then.
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harbingerofdoom (profile), 29 Nov 2010 @ 11:11pm

yes, rose is a complete tool and this is nothing more than him holding a grudge... but, if activision agreed to those stipulations and he can prove that they did then they broke the terms of the contract and they deserve to be sued.

if he cant prove it, then everyone will think he is an idiot.

(well, most people already think that anyway...)
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misterdoug (profile), 29 Nov 2010 @ 11:28pm

It beats working!
He'd have to do a hell of a lot of casino shows to make $20 million.
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Anonymous Coward, 29 Nov 2010 @ 11:39pm

Axel was always a rude drugged jackass, he is famous for throwing telephones at his fans from hotels all around the world.

NEWS: Robotic trunk to grope you in an airport near you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKJybDb1dz0

Well not really but I had to find a way to put this robot up here somehow LoL
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Paul`, 30 Nov 2010 @ 3:20am

So Slash can't decide where his likeness gets used? How does that work at all?
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DS, 30 Nov 2010 @ 3:59am

Re:
Did you?
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Nov 2010 @ 6:17am

Axl moved to Arizona. Do I need to say more? The sun bakes your brain. I mean who can live in that temperature and stay sane?
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dev, 30 Nov 2010 @ 6:27am

big surprise
axl rose is a douche
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Nov 2010 @ 6:32am

Re: Re:
What?

Get groped by the future TSA groping trunk robot installed on the ceiling? No. But if I saw one I propably would go the other way.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Nov 2010 @ 7:08am

Activision used Slash along with the GNR song Welcome to the Jungle to promote Guitar Hero. Axl is a jerk but this could be an actual trademark confusion issue.

Let's say Burger King put out a commercial of Ronald McDonald singing about how the new Whopper came with two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. Wouldn't McDonald's have the right to be a little upset?

I'd like to see the actual lawsuit.
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kid mercury (profile), 30 Nov 2010 @ 10:23am

not sure why you think the statement that the claim is about protecting GNR is bogus. for better or worse, axl is trying to re-brand GNR (as evidenced by the new lineup and new style guide to their merchandise/artwork); ongoing association with slash in new product releases could be seen as hindering re-branding efforts.

also, +1 to comment #11 by anonymous coward.
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Anonymous Coward, 30 Nov 2010 @ 11:57am

Re:
Except, of course, that Axel doesn't own the copyright to "Welcome to the Jungle". It belongs to Universal Music Publishing Group. And last time that I checked (which was a minute ago), Slash has songwriting credit on the song, along with the rest of the band. Put that up against Axel's alleged verbal assurance that he wouldn't be on it, and Rose is the one without a leg to stand on. Hope he breaks something when he falls...
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Tom Landry (profile), 30 Nov 2010 @ 1:42pm

I won't comment on how asinine this is.

What I WILL comment on is who had the talent.

Listen to the shiite that is Chinese Democracy and then go listen to Slash's latest solo work.

Thats all I'm sayin'......
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Bob Vila, 30 Nov 2010 @ 8:43pm

Re:
Sha na na na na na na knees, knees.
Axl Rose is an amazing talent. Not any retard could write those lyrics, only an exceptional retard.
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Anonymous Coward, 1 Dec 2010 @ 5:15am

Re:
Ronald McDonald was never a member of the rock band Burger n' King
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Anonymous Coward, 2 Dec 2010 @ 4:27pm

I personally liked Chinese Democracy. However Axl needs to chill out. G N R is popular for his work with Slash, whether he likes it or not.
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