Activision and No Doubt settle Band Hero lawsuit

Activision's Band Hero game image.

(Credit: GameSpot )

The pop band No Doubt claimed that the video game Band Hero turned its front woman Gwen Stefani into a "virtual karaoke circus act." Now, that circus act may have sung its last song.

Activision, the maker of Band Hero, and No Doubt settled an ongoing lawsuit this week, according to the Associated Press. The settlement was agreed upon just weeks before a jury trial was set to begin.

The legal case began in 2009 when No Doubt charged that Activision didn't tell the pop musicians that gamers would be able to unlock the band's avatars and use them to perform other artist's music. The band went after the gaming company on claims of fraud, violation of publicity rights, and breach of contract.

No Doubt specifically took issue with Band Hero players having the ability to make Stefani perform the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women." The suit claims that it "results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes."

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