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Activision loses bid to throw out lawsuit filed by No Doubt

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A three-judge panel on Tuesday rejected Activision Blizzard Inc.’s motion to throw out a lawsuit filed in 2009 by the rock band No Doubt, dealing a minor blow to the Santa Monica video game giant.

The ruling by the federal district court of appeals paves the way for No Doubt to proceed with its suit, which alleged Activision breached its contract with the group when it allowed players of Activision’s video game Band Hero to use band members’ avatars to perform songs they did not write.

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The band, in its lawsuit, said the game’s feature ‘transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act.’

Activision Blizzard filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed, saying it had the right of creative expression. The motion was rejected in April by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kenji Machida. The appellate court Tuesday agreed with Machida, saying No Doubt can pursue its case against Activision.

While the decision is probably a mere prelude to further legal maneuvers by both sides, the Guitar Hero video game series itself, which had once generated more than $1 billion in revenue for Activision, was recently declared dead. Activision last week said it would shut down its Guitar Hero business, lay off 500 workers and cease development of a Guitar Hero title that was slated for release this year.

-- Alex Pham

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