First it was the misuse of the Kurt Cobain avatar in the latest edition of Guitar Hero. Now Gwen Stefani and her fellow members of No Doubt are suing the gaming company behind the incredibly popular video game, Activision, for the same reason, claiming that the company’s latest iteration of Band Hero has illegally “transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act” by allowing the avatars to perform 60 songs not from the band’s catalogue and not approved by them for use in the game.

“While No Doubt are avid fans of the Rolling Stones and even have performed in concerts with the Rolling Stones,” the complaint continues, “the Character Manipulation Feature results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes. Activision has deceived and confused the public into believing that No Doubt authorized the use of its name and likeness for the Character Manipulation Feature of Band Hero and that No Doubt approves and endorses the appearance of its members individually performing songs that are wholly inappropriate and out of character for No Doubt.”

The complaint alleges that Activision execs decided against disabling the feature due to its prohibitive cost. All in all, though, their mounting court costs probably amount to more, no?

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