No Doubt sue over Band Hero game

No Doubt want Activision to recall the games already sold

Rock band No Doubt are suing the makers of a music video game over the way they are portrayed in it.

The group agreed to be used in Band Hero, but object to players being allowed to use singer Gwen Stefani to perform songs by other artists.

They accuse Activision of breach of contract and fraudulent inducement in papers filed in Los Angeles.

Activision says it "believes it is within its legal rights with respect to the use and portrayal of the band".

The band said they agreed to allow characters containing their name and likeness to perform three No Doubt songs in the game.

Their manager, Jim Guerinot, told Rolling Stone magazine that No Doubt were "mortified" to discover their likenesses could be used to sing songs by other artists.

Nirvana 'dismay'

The group also complained that each member could be isolated from the rest of the band and made to sing songs inappropriate for their gender.

They said that, when they contacted Activision about their concerns, the company "refused to correct its actions".

The band are seeking unspecified damages and an injunction preventing Activision from distributing the game.

They also want the company to recall existing copies.

But Activision said the lawsuit was "without merit" thanks to "an agreement signed by No Doubt after extensive negotiations with its representatives".

In September, former Nirvana members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl said they were "dismayed and very disappointed" at how Kurt Cobain was used in a video game by the same company.

They complained that the band's late frontman could be used to play songs by other artists in the latest version of Guitar Hero.

The company said Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, had provided a written agreement which allowed the singer's likeness as a fully-playable character in the fifth game of the series.