The Romantics heartbroken over Guitar Hero

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By Jeremy Byers

It is an all too common sight: a teenager standing in the middle of Best Buy, face glued to a monitor and a plastic resemblance of a guitar in his hand, jamming out to popular rock songs. A more common sight among college students is that of an intoxicated friend, battling it out with others in a death-match of Guitar Hero. Those sights may become rare after new-wave rock band The Romantics filed a suit against Activision, the maker of “Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80’s.”

The band cannot sue over the use of its song, “What I Like About You” in the game, as Activision had permission to use a cover of the song. However, the suit claims that the publisher infringed the group’s right to its own image and likeness.

“The imitation of the plaintiffs on the defendant’s video game is virtually indistinguishable from the authentic version,” said the lawsuit.

The band’s attorney said that copyright is not the issue, but the cover of the song was so good that the band believes that fans hear it and think it is the real song by The Romantics.

This is the first of the bands to file suit against Activision for the game. Some others who are featured in the game have a certain appreciation for it. Slash, the guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, recently told late-night television host Conan O’Brien that while he enjoys playing he actually stinks at it.

“I’m just glad I already have a copy of the game,” said Dylan Michael, a marketing junior. “We play it every Thursday night after we go out. I suck at it pretty hard, but nobody cares as long as you’re having a good time.”

The game series has been extremely successful for the company, announcing earlier this month earnings of $115 million in its first week on the shelves. But The Romantics are seeking an injunction on the game, and it could be off the shelves before Christmas arrives.

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Originally Published: Issue 588 - November 28, 2007

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