Guns N' Roses suing Guitar Hero game over Slash

Guns N' Roses recently completed a European tour

Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose has filed a lawsuit against the makers of video game Guitar Hero III, over the appearance of ex-bandmate Slash.

Rose alleges in his $20 million (£12.6 million) claim that Activision Blizzard, the game's developer, broke an agreement not to feature imagery of the guitarist.

The singer claims they also agreed not to show any reference to Slash's recent project Velvet Revolver.

Activision said they had "no comment".

Rose's claim

Rose's complaint was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. He claims the game's bosses "began spinning a web of lies and deception to conceal its true intentions to feature Slash and VR prominently in 'GH III.'

The complaint also refers to moves to "promote the game by emphasizing and reinforcing an association between Slash and Guns N' Roses and the band's song Welcome to the Jungle."

Rose's lawyer Skip Miller told news agency Reuters: "This lawsuit is about protecting Guns N' Roses and Welcome To The Jungle, and is about holding Activision accountable for its misuse of these incredibly valuable assets."

Rose is also contesting the use of the band's track Sweet Child O' Mine in an online promotion.

Guitar Hero III was released in 2007 and features a cartoon depiction of Slash on the front cover. The guitarist left the band in 1996.

The popular franchise, available on a number of formats, released the latest version of the game in September.

Axl Rose, the only original member of Guns N' Roses left in the line-up, recently completed a European tour.

They caused controversy as they headlined last summer's Reading and Leeds festival by taking to the stage late.

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