Axl Rose Gets Mixed Result at Hearing in 'Guitar Hero' Lawsuit

[droezle]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

[SONOFABITCH]

Volcano this isn't the Attitude section - don't call names. Thanks.

Back on topic, I agree with Estranged Reality, this will fuel bad press. But, when he is suing for 20 Million, the negative aspect of the lawsuit becomes secondary.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Are you idiots even fans? God this is embarrassing...no wonder why the band don't visit this shit hole anymore.

if you're so unhappy, you could leave. i don't think you'll succeed in remaking the forum in your image. especially not if axl's future grand vision for nugnr is playing weddings and casinos.

come on, man... you're a fan of the new band. you believe in them. you've invested your passion, money and time... aren't you slightly disappointed to see them make a mockery of your faith by putting on a vegas revue of the slash era music?

[droezle]

Well, when Axl loses this lawsuit he still can do 25 shows in Las Vegas to get the money.

[Nosaj Thing]

I hope he wins.

[Carne_asaDA]

Are you idiots even fans? God this is embarrassing...no wonder why the band don't visit this shit hole anymore.

Then leave!!!! Shit!!!

[Ali]

I think it's quite obvious this is all for money, not merely Guns N' Roses' image. If he really cared about the image he would do a settlement out of court.

...I think the opposite is true. If he just settled that's a garuanteed payday. This way he's gambling $20 million, just to prove a point.

A trial is Axl's best chance to win any thing. The problem is if he wins, Activision will keep him in various appeals courts for years. If he loses Activision could go after him for the money they spent on their defense. In any case Axl is going to need all of his Vegas money!

Those are definitely not the only possible outcomes. You forgot to include the entirely plausible possibility of a settlement being reached out of court to avoid the cost, time and headache of ongoing litigation. A trial is definitely not Axl's best or only chance to win anything monetarily.

Ali

[Dariablue]

Are you idiots even fans? God this is embarrassing...no wonder why the band don't visit this shit hole anymore.

Are you a fan?

Of course.... What kind of question is that?

Exactly.

This whole exchange was hilarious!

[amacfantasy]

Don't know if anyone has noticed yet but this lawsuit story is most recent news on gamespot.com http://www.gamespot.com/news/guitar-hero-guns-n-roses-promised-to-axl-rose-report-6391809 . Pretty cool to see Axl in the news even if it isn't for the reasons we would most like.

[volcano62]

Activision is also currently facing a suit from the Gwen Stefani-fronted rock band No Doubt. In that 2009 suit, the band claimed Activision had no contractual right to allow the group's in-game avatars to be used to perform other artists' songs. Additionally, the suit alleges Activision secretly hired actors to create dance movements that no band member had ever performed. No Doubt vs. Activision will go before a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court beginning October 15.

[Modano09]

I doubt he'll win, but I hope he does. I love how far he'll go to express his bitterness towards Slash. I don't mean that sarcastically either, it's awesome.

[Rustycage]

Is this lawsuit just a setup for an excuse?

"We couldn't release CDII while dealing with the lawsuits."

[Roky]

axl's obsession :

[The Black]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

Beleive it or not, they make money off of Axl playing the songs live. At least if they're credited as a songwriter on the particular song.

[volcano62]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

Beleive it or not, they make money off of Axl playing the songs live. At least if they're credited as a songwriter on the particular song.

They don't make money when they are played live. I think the only way they get a cut is if a song is used in a movie, commercial, video game etc....

This is why Axl wanted the re-recorded Jungle for Blackhawk Down.

[Chris 55]

This is why Axl wanted the re-recorded Jungle for Blackhawk Down.

That was Zutaut

[batman007]

They wil probably settle, and Axl still comes out with millions!

[Gagarin]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

Beleive it or not, they make money off of Axl playing the songs live. At least if they're credited as a songwriter on the particular song.

They don't make money when they are played live. I think the only way they get a cut is if a song is used in a movie, commercial, video game etc....

This is why Axl wanted the re-recorded Jungle for Blackhawk Down.

Yes, yes they do. A small amount, but they do. Everytime it's played anywhere they get a check. Even people who write church songs get checks for what is played at church. Every venue pays a fee and through reporting, that fee is eventually channeled down to the writers.

[vaida]

Doubt Axl will get his 20 million or anything close.

This part is interesting:

"In the case, Activision argues that its agreement was with GNR Music, and that "Rose had no authority to enter into a license for 'Welcome to the Jungle' in his individual capacity because he does not own the song or the sound recording."

What does that mean? Axl owns the band name Guns N'Roses, but not the music. Does that mean when Axl and the hired hands make money from performing GN'R music Slash, Adler, Izzy, Duff recive payment ?

Edited August 15, 2012 by vaida

[vaida]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

There's a strong case there. Axl pays a bunch of guys to butcher the GN'R back catalogue night after night. Duff, Slash, Izzy, Alder deserve payment, big payment!

They wil probably settle, and Axl still comes out with millions!

Activision won't give up. They have way more money and power than Axl. They probably have teams working on the case, just to make sure.

[Rustycage]

Doubt Axl will get his 20 million or anything close.

This part is interesting:

"In the case, Activision argues that its agreement was with GNR Music, and that "Rose had no authority to enter into a license for 'Welcome to the Jungle' in his individual capacity because he does not own the song or the sound recording."

What does that mean? Axl owns the band name Guns N'Roses, but not the music. Does that mean when Axl and the hired hands make money from performing GN'R music Slash, Adler, Izzy, Duff recive payment ?

They are saying that he doesn't have sole control of the back catalog to where he could dictate complete control over how it is used.

[axl8302]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

Beleive it or not, they make money off of Axl playing the songs live. At least if they're credited as a songwriter on the particular song.

They don't make money when they are played live. I think the only way they get a cut is if a song is used in a movie, commercial, video game etc....

This is why Axl wanted the re-recorded Jungle for Blackhawk Down.

Yes, yes they do. A small amount, but they do. Everytime it's played anywhere they get a check. Even people who write church songs get checks for what is played at church. Every venue pays a fee and through reporting, that fee is eventually channeled down to the writers.

They may get a small percentage from the venue licensing fees, if the venue uploads the set lists to ASAP, BMI or SESAC; but they don't have to do it and have no reason to do it unless they are already paying a licence fee to the aforementioned organizations.

An artist or group can play anything they want live and pay nothing, unless it is recorded; filmed and released commercially.

[Gagarin]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

Beleive it or not, they make money off of Axl playing the songs live. At least if they're credited as a songwriter on the particular song.

They don't make money when they are played live. I think the only way they get a cut is if a song is used in a movie, commercial, video game etc....

This is why Axl wanted the re-recorded Jungle for Blackhawk Down.

Yes, yes they do. A small amount, but they do. Everytime it's played anywhere they get a check. Even people who write church songs get checks for what is played at church. Every venue pays a fee and through reporting, that fee is eventually channeled down to the writers.

They may get a small percentage from the venue licensing fees, if the venue uploads the set lists to ASAP, BMI or SESAC; but they don't have to do it and have no reason to do it unless they are already paying a licence fee to the aforementioned organizations.

An artist or group can play anything they want live and pay nothing, unless it is recorded; filmed and released commercially.

ASCAP and BMI actively pursue venues and businesses that don't pay fees. They peruse or threaten litigation against places that don't.

Each year they take a sample of their customers and yes, the customers have to report what gets played. From that sample they extrapolate and distribute the money.

Yes, they can play anything they want. The venue has the responsibility for paying for the license.

Obviously the stadiums and arenas and venues GNR plays pays the license. And if they are supposed to be reporting that year, then, yes, they're going to report back what was played...including the before show mix-CD.

I don't understand what your point is.

[GibsonLP]

Could this lawsuit result in the courts defining what is Guns N' Roses and how the name can be used these days? It sounds like there's a group called GNR Music which is Axl Slash and Duff, and then there's Axl's band that he tours under the name Guns N' Roses

Could it result in Axl losing the right to use the name?

[Bards]

It's about time that Steven, Slash, Izzy and Duff start a lawsuit against Axl to stop him using/butchering the classic songs.

Beleive it or not, they make money off of Axl playing the songs live. At least if they're credited as a songwriter on the particular song.

They don't make money when they are played live. I think the only way they get a cut is if a song is used in a movie, commercial, video game etc....

This is why Axl wanted the re-recorded Jungle for Blackhawk Down.

Yes, yes they do. A small amount, but they do. Everytime it's played anywhere they get a check. Even people who write church songs get checks for what is played at church. Every venue pays a fee and through reporting, that fee is eventually channeled down to the writers.

They may get a small percentage from the venue licensing fees, if the venue uploads the set lists to ASAP, BMI or SESAC; but they don't have to do it and have no reason to do it unless they are already paying a licence fee to the aforementioned organizations.

An artist or group can play anything they want live and pay nothing, unless it is recorded; filmed and released commercially.

ASCAP and BMI actively pursue venues and businesses that don't pay fees. They peruse or threaten litigation against places that don't.

Each year they take a sample of their customers and yes, the customers have to report what gets played. From that sample they extrapolate and distribute the money.

Yes, they can play anything they want. The venue has the responsibility for paying for the license.

Obviously the stadiums and arenas and venues GNR plays pays the license. And if they are supposed to be reporting that year, then, yes, they're going to report back what was played...including the before show mix-CD.

I don't understand what your point is.

The point is you're wrong, for reasons that have been brought to your attention. Slash et al aren't picking up money for anything that isn't released commercially.

The church songs thing was the most puzzling example you could choose, as most hymns were written eons and eons ago.

Back to the lawsuit, it looks like the more ridiculous things were tossed and it comes down to whether Activision's deal with GNR Music superceds Axl's "But I hate Slash" precedent.