The Romantics lose court case over Guitar Hero song.

Gothic Girl | December 21, 2007 | News | Playstation 2

Recently, American rock band The Romantics sued Activision because the Guitar Hero cover of their popular song, What I Like About You, "improperly imitates their sound, causing consumers to believe that The Romantics recorded the music and endorsed the product". In other words, they felt as though the Guitar Hero cover of their song was too similar to the original. Err ... is that not the point of cover songs?

Fortunately, common sense prevailed, and the judge denied The Romantics request to have the cover removed from Guitar Hero, as Activision had done everything right in gaining legal rights to own the cover.

A federal judge has denied a request by the rock band The Romantics to prevent Activision from using their song in Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s.
As reported earlier, the band filed suit almost a month ago, alleging that the Guitar Hero recording of the song improperly imitates their sound, causing consumers to believe that The Romantics recorded the music and endorsed the product.

The judge who made the recent ruling indicated that, to the extent there were any copyright issues, Activision did exactly what the company was supposed to do in developing the product.

News Story attached to:

Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s [PS2]

14 comments | go to source (www.gamesindustry.biz) | Add to favorites!

favourite this article |

send to friend

171	Free guitar with Guitar Hero World Tour preorder (3) September 18, 2008
108	New Guitar Hero guitar controllers ... Made For Girls? (9) September 26, 2008
69	Activision take gamers to court, get $US125,000 out-of-court settlement from 2 gamers. (5) September 22, 2008
82	Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne's "Guitar Hero Guitar" (5) October 28, 2008
235	Zero Punctuation : Guitar Hero World Tour (11) November 26, 2008

Comments

0 thumbs!
Dance Floor Killah | December 22, 2007

And they honestly thought they'd win this court case in the first place? Idiots.
0 thumbs!
Daimob | December 22, 2007

it is bullshit that they are allowed to do the songs without getting permission/paying for it though.

The Romantics own the copywrite to their song and they should be allowed to choose whether or not it's used in a game.
- 0 thumbs!
  Gothic Girl | December 22, 2007
  
  They did get permission to use the song though. That's why the court case is a joke.
  - 0 thumbs!
    Daimob | December 22, 2007
    
    OH.
    
    Disregard my first post then. lol
-3 thumbs!
Final Blade | December 22, 2007

LOL what morons, how can they not realize that they gotten permission before using it.
- 0 thumbs!
  Ameer | December 22, 2007
  
  You fool, the court case isn't about the use of the song; it's the similarity between the cover version of their song featured in Encore.
  
  Again your comprehension skills fail you.
  - -3 thumbs!
    Final Blade | December 22, 2007
    
    Um did i even mention music in my post , and if this case is about the cover why does it say stuff about music. Regardless I don't see why you felt the need to resort to calling me names.
    
    Also to be more clear i was actually responding to this
    quote
    Hero, as Activision had done everything right in gaining legal rights to own the cover.
    - -1 thumbs!
      Ameer | December 22, 2007
      
      Because your skull does not seem to comprehend a subtle hint.
      
      And again, you have not comprehended what I'm saying. I AM NOT CONTESTING THAT ACTIVISION DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO OWN THE COVER. I AM MERELY SAYING THAT THE COURT CASE WAS ABOUT THE SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE COVER AND THE ROMANTICS ORIGINAL.
      
      Do you understand now?
    - 0 thumbs!
      Final Blade | December 23, 2007
      
      Oh i understand i just think your trying to pick a fight for no reason. I was referring to permission for the cover if i didn't get what the case was i would have stated that. But continue to argue im done with this petty argument.
0 thumbs!
Daimob | December 23, 2007

he may not understand what a cover means
- 0 thumbs!
  Ameer | December 24, 2007
  
  Ah, so true. No need to get so worked up then.
0 thumbs!
Bri | December 26, 2007

This is why it is always important for developer to always get everythng cleared before going ahead and putting forth the product. Guitar Hero as been a phenomenon, it generates millions so handing a bit more to bands like the Romantics so we can enjoy the music is worth it.
0 thumbs!
kik36 | December 26, 2007

I think the Romantics are just jealous the cover sounds better than the original. LOL
- 0 thumbs!
  Daimob | December 28, 2007
  
  Not hard to do with them though. lol