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Guitar Hero Maker Sued - Cover Song Too Awesome

Posted by Zonk on from the harshing-your-groove dept.

volpone writes "The band "The Romantics" are suing Activision over their wedding reception favorite, 'What I Like About You,' which appears in Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the '80s. The problem is not copyright infringement; Activision had permission to make a cover version of the song. No, the problem is that the cover sounds too much like the original. 'The band's attorneys have indicated that they are seeking an injunction that would force the game to be withdrawn from sale. Although around half of the songs in the newly released Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock feature recordings by the original artists, in previous Guitar Hero games the majority of songs were cover versions.'" In not totally-unrelated news you can download the Mjolnir mix of the Halo theme for play on GHIII, free, today.

10 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. Of course they did... by hsdpa · · Score: 5, Funny

    By taking the Fourier-transform of the song, and then the Inverse Fourier-Transform, you're making a cover. A remix by most - but not a plagiate.

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    1. Re:Of course they did... by cacepi · · Score: 4, Funny

      By taking the Fourier-transform of the song, and then the Inverse Fourier-Transform, you're making a cover. A remix by most - but not a plagiate. Dude, this is Guitar Hero; speak English for Christ's sake!
    2. Re:Of course they did... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Dude, this is Guitar Hero; speak English for Christ's sake!"

      "Slashdot, New for nerds and stuff that matters".

      Okay, so you failed at math and you are visiting the wrong site. Double-whammy.

  2. Wow, just wow. by base3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    A washed-up 80's band with two hits to its name sues because a cover band was able to duplicate their syrupy bubble-gum pop sound. The mind boggles.

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    One CPU cycle wasted on digital restrictions management is ONE TOO MANY.
    1. Re:Wow, just wow. by Wildcat+J · · Score: 5, Funny
      I heard a funny story about them, which may or may not be true:

      The Romantics played here in Tucson a few years back for a local festival-type show (either "Nightmare on Congress" or "Fall Crawl"--mostly local bands, including one I played in at the time), and a fairly well-known local band let them rehearse in their practice space. Someone walking through the hallway heard them and commented that it sounded like a really crappy Romantics cover band. If only they knew!

  3. Songs by "The Original Artists" by Derling+Whirvish · · Score: 4, Funny

    BTW, when I was a kid and compilations of hits by cover groups was common (sorta like "Kidz Bop" now is) rarely would compilations of the original songs be offered on TV due to the high costs of getting the licenses. But I remember one TV offer in particular that was a group of recent hits and the name of the cover group was "The Original Artists." The come-on was something like: "20 of 19xx's greatest hits all by 'The Original Artists." I still LOL over the marketing slimeball that came up with that one.

  4. Slashdotters unite! by starglider29a · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's all boycott buying Romantics albums!!!

    That'll show 'em!

  5. If only Activision had used... by DreadfulGrape · · Score: 5, Funny

    more cowbell!

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    sig has been sent away for a few small repairs...
  6. Re:Last time I checked... by Scamwise · · Score: 4, Funny

    This common phrase has been changed to "Imitation is the highest form of infringement" or at least it was until it was sued by the owners of the original flattery statement due to copyright infringement.

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    Sam "to lazy to register" Look
  7. It went Wii, Wii, Wii by Eccles · · Score: 4, Funny

    The band's attorneys have indicated that they are seeking an injunction that would force the game to be withdrawn from sale.

    I've been trying to buy the Wii version for the kids; as far as I can tell, they've succeeded.

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    Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.