No Doubt Suing Band Hero Makers Over Avatar Use

November 5, 2009 11:16 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - No Doubt has filed a lawsuit against Activision, the makers of the music video game Band Hero, over the way the group are portrayed in it.

The "Hey Baby" stars - Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Adrian Young, and Tom Dumont - are suing the company for turning them into a "virtual karaoke circus act."

According to Rolling Stone magazine, their manager, Jim Guerinot, said they were "mortified" to discover their likenesses in the game can be used to sing other artists' songs. Each member of the band can also be isolated from the rest of the group to sing songs inappropriate for their gender.

When they brought their concerns to Activision, they claim the company refused to correct its actions because it would be too expensive and would jeopardize their revenue.

No Doubt is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction preventing Activision to distribute the game.

Activision says the lawsuit is without merit, adding it has a written agreement with No Doubt to use them in Band Hero.

In September, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl were dismayed at how former Nirvana bandmate Kurt Cobain was used in the same game. Like No Doubt, Cobain's avatar could also be used to sing any other artist's song.