Guns & Roses lead singer Axl Rose has filed a $20m lawsuit against Activision over the use of former band member Slash ( a.k.a Saul Hudson )in the 2007 release of Guitar Hero III. Rose claims that Activision “spun a web of lies and deception” when a deal was made to allow the song “Welcome to the Jungle” to be featured in GHIII.

According to Rose, Activision was only given the rights to use the song on the condition that any reference to the departed guitarist, Slash , or his new band, Velvet Revolver, would be omitted. 

Before the game hit store shelves Rose discovered that Activision had plans to use Slash’s image for GHIII despite the terms of their agreement. After Rose allegedly demanded that Welcome to the Jungle be removed from the game because of the breech in contract, Activision reportedly informed him that the Slash character was just a “trade-show PR stunt”.

When Guitar Hero III was officially released a cartoon version of Slash was used for the game’s box art, was playable in the game, and three Velvet Revolver songs were soon available as dlc. Needless to say Axl Rose wasn’t very happy when he became aware of this.

“[Activision] began 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,” the suit argues, “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.”

 “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,” Rose’s lawyer insisted.

Guitar Hero III has since generated over $1billion, making it one of the highest-grossing video games of all time. Activision has yet to release a statement regarding the lawsuit.

Source: Guardian