Axl Rose sues Activision over Guitar Hero Slash image

[Muzikman7]

 http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AM75120101123

[Dave W]

Another example of why trademark laws need to be scrapped.

[uwe]

It must be hard on him that anybody would still associate Slash with G'n'R and Sweet Child of Mine. After all, Slash (who?) wasn't at all imortant to either G'n'R or that song. It's not like Slash is iconic or has become a brand or anything, outside of old G'n'R fan circles nobody knows how the guy ever looked and still looks today. And only Axel wrote that totally original D, C  and G chord sequence - sheer genius! At the same time that Slash guitar melody to it was instantly forgettable. You don't recognize the song by it and it never ever is played in guitar stores either. What a failure that guy was. Ever since he and the other druggies left, a rejuvenated G'n'R have never looked back, scaling new heights of success each and every year. Boundless hit singles emanated from Chinese Democracy, they are all at the tip of my tongue ...

Uwe

PS: Herr Rose has a penchant for using Asian connotations to name his product, but I think "Chinese Democracy" was a misnomer. Regarding delusions of grandeur, he is closer to Kim Il Sung. He really should start shelling islands to relax. And get a new jacket, that thing is awful.

[Pilgrim]

As for me, I never followed G&R, nor Velvet Revolver.  To me, the image of Slash with the top hat is a lot more recognizable than Axl Rose.  I think Slash's image has become somewhat iconic, at least to people who never followed the band.  He has been used in a number of national TV ads in the US.  I don't know what imagery was used in the disputed game, I'd simply say that a contract is a contract.  If it says "no Slash" in writing, then that's what it says,  If not, Axl's out of luck.

I don't have a well-informed opinion on trademarks in general, but I can attest that they are extremely important to such entities as universities, where the institution's symbolic marks are protected primary as trademarks. 

[TBird1958]

Axl Rose = $$$ grubbin' Douchnozzle.

[Dave W]

As for me, I never followed G&R, nor Velvet Revolver.  To me, the image of Slash with the top hat is a lot more recognizable than Axl Rose.  I think Slash's image has become somewhat iconic, at least to people who never followed the band....

True. Maybe rabid fans appreciate Axl more, or used to. But Slash's image is much better known.

OTOH, Axl sings like an 80 year old woman. How many other rockers can do that?

knock knock knockin' on heaven's doah-woah-woah-woah.... 

[Highlander]

November Rain is a real bug-bear with me - the solo "theme" at the end - comes into the high-note FLAT EVERY TIME...

IT SO GRATES...

[Muzikman7]

I only liked three of their songs Welcome to Jungle, Paradise City & Sweet Child of Mine. 

[eb2]

I actually liked the Izzy Stradlin JuJu Hounds record.  He wrote all the songs you could hum for Guns and Roses, and he had the good sense to get off the stage while he still smelled ok.

[Denis]

I actually liked the Izzy Stradlin JuJu Hounds record.  He wrote all the songs you could hum for Guns and Roses, and he had the good sense to get off the stage while he still smelled ok.

I think I had that one too and rather liked it. Re: Axl Rose - they allow him to speak?

[Nocturnal]

Sadly, you can't make him not speak.