Courtney Love Irate Over Kurt Cobain Avatar In Guitar Hero

Kurt Cobain's death hit the grunge scene hard, and it remains one of the biggest tragedies in music history. This is why we were a little surprised to see a playable avatar of Cobain in the latest Guitar Hero entry.

But if Activision didn't actually secure permission to do this, it's even creepier. At what appears to be Courtney Love's Twitter page, she claims to never have "signed off on the avatar," and that "this Guitar Hero sh** is a breach of contract." In fact, she intends to sue the sh** out of Activision" on behalf of herself, Cobain's estate and the various LLCs Cobain enterprises. Now, if all of this is true, it could be trouble for the publisher in question, although we imagine Activision will come back over the top and say they absolutely did obtain clearance for using Cobain's likeness in the game. When it comes to games that require about a million licenses in order to be both realistic and ultimately successful, you're bound to run into a few issues. But this is a particularly sensitive issue, especially in the eyes of those who really loved Cobain and still remember his influence with a wistful smile and a gleam in their eye. If Activision is at fault, it'll be interesting to see how they respond. Tread carefully, guys!

Of course, this is all assuming that the Twitter info really is from Courtney Love. If it isn't, this entire story is...well, our mistake. ;)

Related Game(s): Guitar Hero 5

9/10/2009 12:21:46 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (49 posts)

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psychotoe
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 12:42:37 PM
Reply

She's still alive?

7 up, 1 down

Zorigo
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 12:49:42 PM

2 up, 1 down

outcelgeist
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 12:56:12 PM
Reply

Since when did anyone care what she thinks?

7 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 12:58:22 PM
Reply

Teehehe someone is getting sued!

1 up, 1 down

N a S a H
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 12:58:29 PM
Reply

You killed him you bitch.

10 up, 1 down

Naga
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:02:10 PM

lol so true

2 up, 1 down

Perry Katy
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 12:59:27 PM
Reply

That b*tch is crazy...

1 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 5:29:52 PM

Were you on Joystiq?

;)

0 up, 0 down

Naga
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:01:43 PM
Reply

Hide is more talented IMO

But its really stupid to just sue anyone for using thier likeness on a game that you've just killed

Last edited by Naga on 9/10/2009 1:04:19 PM

0 up, 1 down

whooka
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:28:00 PM
Reply

I totally agree with her and there was already a kurt cobain lookalike in rock band 2 that was used in the game for the nirvana songs. When I first saw that I thought to myself 'Kurt Cobain is spinning in his grave.' Very poor taste, imo, and creepy to say the least. He would never ever ever have given approval for his likeness to be used in a game like this (doubtful even he would've approved of his music being in a game like this) but the great thing about the 'music industry' is they can do whatever they like with an artist and their work once the artist has signed the dotted line, like using a deceased artist's likeness to generate more revenue for their corporation (or sue single mothers sharing ten songs on kazaa to generate more income for their corporation). With them it's immoral and disgraceful but 'legal' due to contracts having been signed that are akin to deals with the devil but if a consumer wants to reproduce an artist's music or image it's lawsuit time! Thank the lord music labels will eventually be a thing of the past and all those talentless execs who made tons of money off the artists,even after they die like in this case, will be lucky if they can get a job at a TGIFriday's.

3 up, 0 down

ThePearlJamer
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 2:27:00 PM

I think Dave Grohl holds certain rights to the Nirvana name and catalogue and probably likenesses that Courtney either doesn't have or is secondary if he should ever be unavailable, which he signed off on, which is why Everlong was in RB2

0 up, 0 down

whooka
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 3:56:21 PM

Dave Grohl is alive so at least he has control over whether his music is used in games or not. Well, maybe, depends on how much of his freedom he signed away with the major label that distributed his music.

0 up, 0 down

LightShow
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 9:40:57 PM

@ pearljammer

pretty sure everlong was a foo fighters song, not a nirvana song. not sure what courtneys rights to the nirvana name (existent or otherwise) would have to do with a foo fighters song...

0 up, 0 down

ThePearlJamer
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 9:55:22 PM

I know that, but I think Kurt in his will had all the rights passed on the Dave when he killed himself...I heard Dave mention in an interview he controlled major portions of the nirvana music catalogue, I'm not sure if he controls likeness licenses also...

Last edited by ThePearlJamer on 9/10/2009 9:57:05 PM

0 up, 0 down

outcelgeist
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:33:01 PM
Reply

Did anyone else see the roast of Pamela Anderson? I remember someone ripping on Courtney Love reallllllly bad. It was probably Greg Giraldo... I don't remember.

1 up, 1 down

Alienange
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:37:05 PM
Reply

She's going to sue the sh*t out of Activision? Ooookay. I'd suggest cleaning up your coke nose before making that appearance.

4 up, 1 down

cLoudou
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:43:14 PM

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug"

9 up, 2 down

ThePearlJamer
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 2:27:33 PM

I plead the fif lmao

2 up, 1 down

ThePearlJamer
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 2:27:35 PM

I plead the fif lmao

1 up, 1 down

tes37
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 3:43:06 PM

I think it was heroine and a needle.

0 up, 0 down

tes37
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 4:25:41 PM

I meant heroin ...... she's no superhero.

4 up, 0 down

BeezleDrop
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:41:05 PM
Reply

She really has the rights to another person? I mean I thought you have to use certain copyright procedures to acquire people and let alone music, so I figured they had the green light to use Mr. Cobain in the game. Sue Kotick! More power to you.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 1:52:57 PM
Reply

Oh boohoo. She's just mad cause she can't make a profit off this like everything else of his.

5 up, 1 down

djjake
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 2:07:50 PM

that's exactly what i was going to say, all she has done since his death is live off his name, she does my head in

1 up, 1 down

coverton341
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 2:17:11 PM
Reply

Alright. I feel like both of the parties are in the wrong but honestly a lot of "wrong" is floating around in these games that people might not be aware of.
Activision is in the wrong because honestly commercialism and mainstream are the exact things that Kurt Cobain stud against in his music and in his life, and that is why Courtney Love is in the wrong too. She doesn't care about the principle of the matter she wants money expressly demonstrated by her "I'm gonna sue" attitude.

Now on the converse of that take a look at Rock Band Beatles. John Lennon was also outspoken about commercialism and the like but his face is plastered all over it and why? Because the remaining Beatles and their industry handlers want to make some money and it would look odd to have John missing.

The bigger issue here for me is the fact that we as people are not preserving the ideologies of these people and instead we are turning a profit by using their likenesses in ways that they would have adamantly disagreed with.

3 up, 0 down

bOnEs
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 2:24:15 PM

i was about to say the same damn thing... seeing him up there goes against everything he believed in, and it's also one of the reasons why he killed himself...

i am sure he's already turned in his grave a few times since his death... more power to courney but, suing for money doesn't reflect well... you knew him best, you know he wouldn't stand for that...

she should be suing to force them to remake all of their games, not for money... make them lose money for even thinking they could get away with it...

Last edited by bOnEs on 9/10/2009 2:27:22 PM

1 up, 0 down

whooka
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 4:04:00 PM

Most of the 'we as people' bunch have respect for artists and would honor their wishes (if they are alive to state them) as to whether they want their likeness or music put into a game. It would also be nice if said artist got some money for lending their likeness or music to a game but if they're dead they obviously had no input on the matter and the bulk of the people now profiting off of them are the music industry/record labels/etc which is the crappy part imo. I know it's all down to the artist signing contracts with these labels, etc, but the labels proceed to pimp out the music and likeness to anyone who wants to use it (if their contract allows so) and they just keep making money off of art they had absolutely no part in creating (the hard part). And they sue people for file-sharing low quality mp3s of alot of crap people wouldn't buy in the first place but report it as a 'loss', they were involved in pay-to-play with radio stations for years, ruined many an artist's career by sinking money into stupid videos and making artists pay them back, etc, etc. Real honorable industry, it is.

0 up, 0 down

Lemon_Saint
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 4:05:13 PM

First, let me preface by saying Courtney Love's feigned anger over this issue is just another attempt at a sad media hound trying to steal a taste of a bigger pie. That said ...

I might have agreed with you guys on this issue a few years ago, but I've learned a bit since then. As much as you may hear the protests from celebrities about how, "commercialism is out of hand", or "I would never sell out" ... it's all a front. Ask anyone who has ever signed a contract. They can tell you that as soon as they sign the dotted line, they know what they are getting into. Unless you are a total idiot, who has had their hands over their eyes and their fingers in their ears, you know what comes with signing any contract in the music business. Kurt knew it. Lennon knew it. Hell, Englebert Humperdink knew it. When someone flashes the promise of fame and glory in front of you, as much as you might become the outspoken anti-hero about it later, you want that attention. You crave it. Seeing the inherent flaws in hindsight is the undersigned's own fault for not looking at the fine print.

Which brings me to another point. Kurt was not an idiot. Lennon was incredibly gifted. You ever stop to think that playing the one-voice-against-corruption card is still "part of the game"? It's marketing at it's worst, (or finest, depending on your part in said corruption). Just like every ying needs its yang, every Alpha its Omega, the music industry has always had its naysayers, (whom by the way collect a substantial paycheck from its near symbiotic relationship). Who would have believed in God if not for the Devil to scare them into it? If all there was in music was Britney Spear's, Jessica Simpson's, and Spice Girls', the recording industry misses out on a substantial market known as the "disassociated masses", and they would go largely ignored. The industry needs the anti-heros...

It's all part of the scam.

1 up, 0 down

jaybiv
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 4:33:57 PM

How can you blame Activision? Of course they are going to want to use the likeness of the face of the grunge era in their game. Fans still buys his records, is something wrong with that? I think it's great that they want to honor Kurt for his wonderful contributions to music and give his many fans another channel to keep his memory alive.

Who are we to decide what Kurt wanted? He led a very hypocritical life by any standards. He disliked the mainstream but populated MTV with hordes of videos and live appearances. Who knows, maybe Kurt would have mellowed his stance in the 15 since his death and celebrated having his likeness in the game. His estate must have felt this way because they signed off on it.

I'm all for bashing the big bad video game companies, but only when they deserve it.

1 up, 0 down

ThePearlJamer
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 9:58:55 PM

I wouldn't call him the face of grunge music...you want that go look at Eddie Vedder or Neil Young

1 up, 0 down

Deleted User
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 2:51:42 PM
Reply

knowing Kurt Cobain's stance on getting too famous and all, I doubt he would have wanted his likeness to be in Guitar Hero.

that being said, who knows if Courtney Love is going to win or not. Something might have been signed to approve this, and she might not even remember to sue them in the morning.

Last edited by n/a on 9/10/2009 2:52:30 PM

2 up, 1 down

erislocker
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 3:13:35 PM
Reply

they did a real good impression of him. with the torn jeans, and blue-red mustang and his trademark sweater...
gotta say. probably turning in his grave, but it seems to hold him justice

0 up, 3 down

ElectricTiTAN
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 3:39:18 PM
Reply

F her. just her looking for another way to make money off his name. i think she's the reason he's no longer with us. nirvana will always be my favorite band of all time

0 up, 1 down

Douchebaguette
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 3:42:16 PM
Reply

Hahahhaha

Courtney Love vs. Activasion. Who'd of thought it?

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 3:45:53 PM
Reply

I think she had a relapse and needs drug money.

1 up, 0 down

ElectricTiTAN
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 3:46:49 PM
Reply

for the people saying he wouldn't want this. i don't know. he was never into becoming a big star. but, he always appreciate the fans. his "suicide" note proves that to me. because i believe it wasn't a suicide not at all. just a note telling his band mates and fans, he no longer wanted to be a part of nirvana

1 up, 1 down

BlinkBoy
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 4:00:22 PM
Reply

Weird since I read couple days ago that this have been approved by the band members and Courtney.

2 up, 0 down

Douchebaguette
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 5:42:32 PM

Actually, so did I.

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/27/kurt-cobain-joins-guitar-hero-5-how-nirvana-came-to-the-game/

" - Naturally, Love did have some concerns. Namely, Cobain’s physique, Riley reveals. “Courtney supplied us with photos and videos and knew exactly what she wanted Kurt to look like,” he says. “She picked the wardrobe and hair style, which turned out to be the ‘Teen Spirit’ look, then we went back and forth over changes — some subtle, some not so subtle.” In column B? Love’s reference to the Greek God Adonis, whose youthful good looks made the male deity an object of desire. “She certainly had a physical image in mind,” says Riley. “She wanted him to have that sort of athletic definition but not overly so.” And while Love has long had a reputation for being difficult, Riley’s experience was anything but. “She was actually great to work with,” he says. “She got back with comments pretty quickly.” - "

WTF?

0 up, 0 down

Karosso
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 4:49:29 PM
Reply

I hope she really does sue them!
I still cant get over Activision's boss saying they would stop supporting the PS3 if Sony did not lower the price...
Go get them girl!!! LOL
PS: She's one scary looking bitch.

4 up, 3 down

MadKatBebop
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 6:28:24 PM
Reply

Wow, Ive never heard of Kurt Cobain or Courtney Love before now(I know I know, I'm supposed to know these things).

0 up, 2 down

Danny007
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 6:40:47 PM
Reply

This is like a tribute to Cobain. Maybe money is more important to her?

0 up, 0 down

Neurotoxiny
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 7:03:35 PM
Reply

I DON'T LIKE COURTNEY LOVE!!!

But I love Nirvana, and grunge! I honestly think Courtney Love should stay off of her heroin before she starts acting insane and sues Activision.

I mean honestly, Activision hasn't been to popular lately, but I've got a safe bet that a whole lot of people would prefer Activision to win when compared to Courtney buttmunch.

Except for Karosso I guess...

:P just kidding, just giving my opinion on the matter.

1 up, 0 down

SHADOW [Moderator]
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 7:49:56 PM
Reply

Well apparently she did give Blizzivision the rights and then she just forgot. Stupid, drugged out, psycho. As awful as Blizzivision has been; they wouldn't have done this without the legal right to, they're not morons, just ass holes.

3 up, 1 down

Alienange
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 8:11:45 PM
Reply

Just when you thought you'd heard the last of her.

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Thursday, September 10, 2009 @ 11:52:20 PM
Reply

Ahhh.. Kurt ^_^

Apologies my friend.

0 up, 0 down

Geobaldi
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 12:02:43 AM
Reply

It's not just Courtney that has a problem with it, his former bandmates Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl also aren't happy wih it.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 2:06:36 AM
Reply

normally i would say stop being such a greedy bitch.
but since its against activision, hack your brains out i hope she rips them a new hole.
mayb they will learn they cant say and do whatever they want, mayb they will learn there not above the law.
who do they think they are micro$oft?

1 up, 1 down

OhYessss
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 10:03:58 AM
Reply

Courtney Love appears to be drunk?

0 up, 0 down

NothingBoy
Friday, September 11, 2009 @ 4:11:05 PM
Reply

its amazing that you can murder someone, claim it was suicide, then get filthy rich off the future lawsuits...

fuck you courtney love.

1 up, 0 down

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