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Activision sued over Guitar Hero Cover

Donnelly | November 22, 2007 | News | PC Playstation 2 
American rock band The Romantics are suing Activision and Wavegroup Sound, the publisher and sound recorder for Guitar Hero III.

The Romantics claim that the cover version of their "What I Like About You", is too similar to the original version, which reached #48 in the US charts.
Activision and Wavegroup Sound, the publisher and sound recorder for the massive hit game Guitar Hero, have been sued by The Romantics for a cover recording of the band's song.

The 1980s-era Detroit-based rock band claims the cover for "What I like About You" bears too much similarity to the original.

While the in-game usage was obtained by permission, the rock group has successfully sued over the song's use in television commercials in the past.

Band singer Wally Palmer pronounced himself "very upset" at the game's inclusion of the song. The Romantics spent years perfecting a "distinctive sound," he said.

The group's attorney, William Horton, honed in on the game's massive sales and expected revenue.

"The sales of this game are huge," he said. "We're all for good commerce. We just want to share in it."

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  • 1 thumbs!
    Jaw Knee | November 23, 2007
    This is the dumbest shit I have ever heard.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Play ISDF | November 23, 2007
    What the *bleep*? They had permission for the song's inclusion, now the band is being an ass cause the song's in there? That's just beyond stupid.
  • 4 thumbs!
    Chad and Protoman | November 23, 2007
    there just doing this because there an old band that needs some money quick because there a band that made a few good songs then disbanded and now need some money because they dont want to get a real job
    • 1 thumbs!
      Dance Floor Killah | November 23, 2007
      That's exactly what's going on. Quite pathetic.
  • 5 thumbs!
    ali3n | November 23, 2007
    I always thought that covers were MEANT to sound like the originals...
  • 2 thumbs!
    Peano | November 23, 2007
    I bet they didn't expect the game to make so much money, then when they realise they popularity of the game think they deserve to of been payed more for their song.
  • 1 thumbs!
    Sgt Uricchio | November 23, 2007
    well, at least i know to get a song i make put into a video game with my permission so that i can go and be dumb and sue.
    you just gotta love america.
  • 1 thumbs!
    zarbityugi | November 24, 2007
    Do you hear of any other band sueing because they allowed their song to be in? No. I hope no one ever buys a Romantics song or album ever again. Dumbasses.
  • 1 thumbs!
    Jaw7765 | November 25, 2007
    ok, 1 thing, whats so bad about havein a cover sound like the samething. i mean i'd be happy if a song turned out pretty close to mine, i would rather hear something that sounds good than a cover that sounds like a fat guy yellin in a microphone
  • 0 thumbs!
    djjimmy2k2 | November 25, 2007
    well i for one have never heard of the band so id have thought theyd be happy for some extra publicity. anything that gets the band more well known, even if they have long split up or whatever may have happened to them, can only be a good thing.

    lets just face it, this is a ridiculous story that should get thrown out of court, all because the band are greedy mofos who didnt realise how popular the game would be.

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