November 24, 2010 12:42

Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose sues 'Guitar Hero' makers over Slash

Frontman wants $20million from Activision

Photo: Andy Willsher/NME

Axl Rose is suing Activision, the makers of the 'Guitar Hero' video games, for $20million (£12.6million).

Rose claims that Activision fraudulently induced him into allowing them use of Guns N' Roses' 'Welcome To The Jungle' in 'Guitar Hero III', reports Reuters.

The singer's complaint centres around the game's inclusion of a character modelled on his former bandmate Slash. Rose claims that he only allowed the use of 'Welcome To The Jungle' after Activision told him the game wouldn't feature any reference to Slash or his band, Velvet Revolver.

In a lawsuit filed to Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday (November 24), Rose accused Activision of "spinning a web of lies and deception to conceal its true intentions to not only feature Slash and Velvet Revolver 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'."

Additionally, he is arguing that he is owed damages as he only licensed the use of song 'Sweet Child O' Mine' for 'Guitar Hero II', but feels it also featured in the online promotion of its sequel.

Rose's lawyer, Skip Miller said: "This lawsuit is about protecting Guns N' Roses and 'Welcome to the Jungle' and is about holding Activision accountable for its misuse of these incredibly valuable assets."

This isn't the first time Rose has clashed with Activision. In December 2008, he accused the company of "low life chicanery" as he believed they'd use his songs without permission.

A date has yet to be set for the case to be heard.

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