Posted on 11/25/2007 7:33:37 PM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts
Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but try telling that to The Romantics.
The new-wave rock band has filed a lawsuit against Guitar Hero game publisher Activision for its use of a sound-alike recording of What I Like About You in Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. The band is also seeking an injunction against the game, which could result in the game being pulled from store shelves.
The band isn't claiming Activision infringed on its copyright of the song; indeed the game publisher had permission to use a cover version of the song. However, that cover version was too good, and The Romantics sued, claiming that game publisher infringed the group's right to its own image and likeness, the band's lawyers told the newspaper.
"It's a very good imitation, and that's our objection," William Horton told the paper. "Even the guys in the band said, 'Wow, that's not us, but it sure sounds like us.'"
Also named in he lawsuit was music firm Wavegroup Sound, which recorded the song for the game.
The game franchise has been wildly successful for Activision. Earlier this month, the company announced that Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock had earned $115 million in its first week on the market.
“too good of a cover song”
give me a break. It’s too subjective. Plus it’s The Romantics, so that has to be factored into the equation up front.
Ruby And The Romantics should sue just for the “Romantics” thing.
I think what’s crazy is how huge Guitar Hero has become. My 11-year-old son attracted an audience at Wal-Mart playing “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath...
It is really strange, I agree with you. There’s no real skill involved. I play a real guitar, nobody wants to watch anyone do that. Play a fake guitar to someone else’s soundtrack, they sit there and stare at you.
Maybe it tells you something more about the weidos who watch people doing nothing.
They’re talking in their sleep.
“I play a real guitar, nobody wants to watch anyone do that.”
LOL! There was a South Park episode about Guitar Hero. The classic quote from one of the kids, “Real guitar is for old people”.
Watch a kid play Guitar Hero - “That kid is good”.
Watch an adult play real guitar - “Awww, the poor guy. Give him some change, Sweetheart.”
Yeah, I saw it. It was dead-damn on.
Yes it was. I have 7 guitars around this house and my neighbor is always trying to get me to come to his house to play GH. Some folks will practice for hours and hours to learn to play a game but not hit a lick at the real thing. I just don’t get it.
Same here. My living room is a friggin studio, and my kids ignore it. They want GH for Christmas...go figure!
Give it a few years and there will some group on stage playing Guitar Hero, Drum Hero, Organ Hero, and Bass Guitar Hero to a zillion screaming girls. Making big bucks playing with plastic guitars with little colored buttons on them.
'Cept me. I'll watch a good axe man all night long.
Does this group have another hit?
I know, but apparently there are lots of silly people who seem to think that Guitar Hero is anything like playing real guitar. It really feels more like playing a simple piano piece, only your left hand is doing the more complicated stuff. I only ever watch people play Guitar Hero if I’m waiting for a turn...
I think “Talking in Your Sleep” was the Romantics, and it was a hit, but I don’t know if it was a number 1 hit.
It went (the refrain):
I hear, the secrets that you keep,
....when you’re talking in your sleep
OMG. Internet “Monkees” It would be cheaper to use stick figures.
But sales of Tuba Hero have been sadly disappointing.
I’m still waiting for Sackbutt Hero..
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