Adam Levine sues Activision over "Band Hero"
(CBS) Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine is suing Activision, the developers of the video game "Band Hero," over use of his likeness.
The singer and "The Voice" coach claims that while he authorized use of the band's hit "She Will Be Loved" and agreed to have an avatar of himself in the game, he was unaware that players could use his character to perform songs from other bands.
According to the lawsuit, obtained by TheWrap, Levine didn't know that "Band Hero" included a feature that allows users to make him sing more than 60 songs from other artists, which "would not have been chosen by him for recordings or performances."
The feature also lets users make his avatar sing in voices other than his own, "including female voices," the suit claims.
Levine is suing for fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, violation of the common-law right of publicity, and unfair business acts or practices, according to TheWrap. He is seeking unspecified damages.
The Maroon 5 crooner isn't the only musician to take legal action against Activision over "Band Hero." In 2009, when the game was first released, No Doubt sued the company for the same reason, claiming they were not aware that their avatars could be forced to perform songs other than their own. That suit is still pending, according to Entertainment Weekly.