What they like about Guitar Hero? Nothing

Here's one way to get back in the newspapers: The Romantics are suing the makers of Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s over the use of the band's hit "What I Like About You."

The song's copyright isn't the issue, writes the Detroit Free-Press, which published a story about the showdown earlier this week. Activision, maker of the Guitar Hero series of videogames, did indeed secure permission to use the hit.

Rather, The Romantics are mad that the cover version of the song in the game sounds so much like the real version that fans won't know the difference.

"It's a very good imitation, and that's our objection," William Horton, the band's attorney, told the Free-Press.

The band is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction on sales of the game. So safe to say if you're considering buying the game for the holidays, you might want to expedite that trip to the store.

Oddly enough, this isn't the band's first fight over their 1980 single, which reached No. 48 on the U.S. charts that year. The Detroit-based band fought its mangers in the late 80s when they discovered "What I Like About You" was being licensed for TV commercials without their knowledge.

The Romantics haven't produced an album since 2003's "61/49" (maybe the disc's catchy name accounted for the poor sales).

Comments

[topcad]

Seriously? They don't like the fact that the cover version sounds too much like them? Yeah. I don't think so. They should consider themselves lucky that the song appeared at all. In fact, they might even get some album sales from a new generation that is just now discovering their music. Waaaa. Go get back to work on "62/50."

[Al]

Like the suits.

[Jeff in Cuba]

So let me get this straight? Every two-bit garage band butchers their signature tune, and that's OK. But when talented musicians record it for a wildly popular video game that will expose an entire new generation to their particular brand of power pop, it's time to litigate.

Or could it be that they're just trying to remain pop culture relevant. After all, it's easier to file a suit than to make a decent pop song. In fact, I hear Katrina and the Waves are assembling a legal team...

[Weldon]

so, basicly what is going on here, is they want more money, as they now know that they did not get enough for the rights and the game is HUGE hit... money grubbers!!!!