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Unforgiven: Metallica sues Red Octane, Activision, and Harmonix *UPDATE*

Posted Aug 15, 2007 at 01:58AM by Ryan A. Listed in: News, Games, Rock Band, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Tags: Activision, Metallica, Harmonix
Ó

Unforgiven: Metallica sues Red Octane, Activision, and Harmonix - Image 1Originally posted on August 14, 2007 at 02:20PM

Harmonix confirmed back in July that the legendary rock band Metallica is coming to Rock Band (PS3 and Xbox 360). Also earlier this month both Red Octane and Activision came up with a similar announcement for Guitar Hero III that is scheduled to be released on Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 platforms.

But what's this? We just got word that Metallica is currently suing the above mentioned companies for copyright infringement. According to the band's lawyer, what the three companies is planning to do is actually under the "licensed music to player" system otherwise known as LM2P network.

Harmonix wasn't able to provide an initial statement regarding the matter but the counsel for Red Octane and Activision had this to say:


Our company paid a licensing fee to feature the track 'One' by Metallica in Guitar Hero III. We don't understand why Metallica would turn around and sue us, unless they've gone from insane to completely bats*** insane since 2001, but we're confident that the law and our contracts will be enough to have this thrown out.


Metallica's counsel, on the other hand, explained that the band is fearful that album sales will decline because consumers can easily get hold of their songs just by purchasing video game titles. The lawyer added, "The band learned its lesson the hard way with file sharing in the late 90s. This time they want to do a pre-emptive strike before the music gets out there".


UPDATE:

Over on the Harmonix's forum boards, HMXSean, one of the community forum leaders, chimed in with an important announcement, stating that the article originally written by Daily Gaming is false.

According to the forum post, HMXSean said, "In no way is this true. It is well written satire but it is very much satire."

HMXSean has since closed the forum post, disallowing comments. You can, however, read about it at the forum link we have below.

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83 Comments


Sort by:
   by Dookie (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » .
Beer good, Napster baaad.


   Re: matt (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » LOL!!
so great... also as cartman would say "you're breaking my balls here!"

   Re: son of ken (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » metal licker
f uck metallica, they are always suing everyone, and they are *****e! these noisy wankers should buy the farm!

   Re: Barakku (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Amen
Metallica proved they're as badass as a nun when they wouldn't stop *****ing about people stealing overpriced songs from multi-millionaires. Eat sh*t and die, like all hair-bands should have; the 80's are over.

   Re: Shatterdome - 2007-08-14
 » Yeah...
Officially the cheapest band in history....damn I hate them...

   Re: doodad (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » also
It's not like u can take the album from Guitar hero 3 and pu it on ur ipod! It's just for in game... these idiots must be retarded

   Re: Fake (Unregistered) - 2007-08-15
 » Suing
Wow, you guys here are smart. You all belive this?? This is 110% fake bull*****

   Re: taylor (Unregistered) - 2007-08-15
 » metalica
METALICA RULEZ

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: Sledgehammer (Unregistered) - 2007-08-15
 » Yeah
This is why since the 90s I've decided that I will never go to a Metallica show, download and pay for their music, or buy a cd of theirs ever again. My disdane for them is such that I'll turn the radio off so is not to listen to them. In short ***** METALLICA

   Re: no name (Unregistered) - 2007-08-15
 » metallica sucks
metallica really sucks i have no respect for them they have no talent what so ever
thank you i had to vent a little

   Re: Ronco (Unregistered) - 2007-08-16
 » Metal Icka
Sure, I believe that lawyers always use the term bat***** insane when talking to the press.

Riiiiiiiiggggghhhhtttt..........

   Re: Mike (Unregistered) - 2007-08-17
 » morons
the story is not real you idiots. That makes no *****ing sense. In this day where every idiot with a keyboard is a journalist, do some *****ing research before you say a bad is uing everyone
   by hmm (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » wow
i guess metallica doesn't make music to be heard, only to be bought


   Re: julien (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » yeah!
Man what are they thinking? What a bunch of washups.
   by Mister Common Sense - 2007-08-14
 » I used to like metallica
They were my favorite band after the black album of the early 90s.
Then they got all sue happy.
Then they went from hard metal to "crap rock."

Now they just suck. Suing a game maker after they already paid for the rights, how low. No wonder Newstead quit.

Nobody is going to buy the album because they now suck and sue everyone, not because the song is in a game. Fu*king idiots.


   Re: nueerdya (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » i used to like metallica too...
hey, i totally agree with you, i used to be a fan too.

This is just ridiculus...

   Re: damn right ! (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » what a bunch of winners
i agree. metallica used to one of the best metal bands. now they are one of the best posers complaining about music that they can't even write anymore. they should be f'in happy that someone is still listening to their music. hey i know maybe if they would grow up and get their lazy asses out of a chair and write a damn decent song the world would give them some credit again.

Metal forever...Metallica....maybe someday.....

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: Mister Common Sense - 2007-08-15
 » At least it's fake
OK they're not totally stupid.

The new music still sucks though.

   Re: The Dude (Unregistered) - 2007-08-15
 » Me too
but after St. Anger they have nothing to fear from people stealing any new music from them.
   by whosmav (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » What the
*****?!

I can't *****ing stand Metallica anymore. Album sales would rise if they are on these games. They really are just a bunch of old idiotic *****s!!! It reminds me of the bull***** psa Lars did a fews back against Napster on the MTV awards. They are pieces of crap. I can't believe as rich as they are they want more. Greedy pig bastards.
It makes it impossible to enjoy their music.


   Re: Anonymous (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Fake
I can't believe this to be true. This is beyond *****ing retarded. Someone is pulling your leg.

   Re: metallicafan (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Icallshens
I'm going to give Metallica the benefit of the doubt and say this is probably fake, especially considering that the original announcements about the songs was put up on their website in the first place, and the article gives no source for their claims.
   by Starsmore (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Does anyone remember....
...that Metallica basically got their start due to people sharing bootlegs of their songs, back in their early days?

I guess they sure don't.

   by Wise man (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » hmm...
F*ck Metallica, keep file sharing.

Get a real job Metallica geezers, then you wouldn't have to worry about people not buying your album.


   Re: 666 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » 666
WFT? Are you that stupid?
   by ? (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » ?
again?

   by Tron (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Great
I think it would be magical if Matalica got into a plane and flew over the bermuda triangle...never to be seen (or heard) again.


   Re: Advertising -


   Re: G (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Metallica
Haha
   by Wha-what (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » ***** YOU LARS
I think Lars is crying again. ***** you lars go sale some of your *****ty paintings

   by GGD (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Metallica
They are stuck in the dark ages of music and will be left behind. What a bunch of idiots!

   by Guitar Hero Fan (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » this is wee-tall-did
The three companies bought rights to the song(s) so they could re-record their own versions of the songs. It's not like people are going to listen to 'One' on GH3 and think "Wow, this is soooo much better than the real version. I'm never buying original Metallica music ever again!" Most people have already given up on buying Metallica albums altogether, thanks to their years of *****ing.


   Re: damm right (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » GTH3
i agree..... why da ***** would somebody buy a $50 game just to listen to one of metallica's songs?? how in the world are their album sales going to decline?? lol this is extremely ridiculous. IDIOTS.

   Re: Johnny Borell - Lead Singer of Razorlight (Unregistered) - 2007-08-15
 » Might be master track
Acording to wikipedia (not the most reliable of sources) they are going to use the actual One master track and not re-record a new version as you said.

But anyway the updates says that this was all made up so it doesn't matter.
   by they suck (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » hahaha
they suck anyway


   Re: zaniaac (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » I agree
Metallica Sucks balls the should be ban from playing heavy Music

   Re: Bob dole (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » i think they should write a book
and they should call it "How to Kill a Fanbase"
Seriously, if they didn't suck so much, maybe ppl WOULD buy there albums. Maybe u shouldn't have wasted ur money on booze and drugs, now get a job wanker, or I'll sue you for your music making me f***ing nautious
   by Anonymous (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » not true
http://www.n4g.com/News-59225.aspx Even do they sux Its not true there not suing anyone

   by anon (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Greedy. F***ing. Idiots.
"the band is fearful that album sales will decline because consumers can easily get hold of their songs just by purchasing video game titles"

yeah, that's right metallica, people are going to go out and pay $50 for a video game that contains one of their (crappy) songs, rather than pay $15-20 dollars for an album full of their (crappy) songs.

this is so stupid i could almost believe it is fake, its just that i've seen too many examples of metallica's greed that i can't help but still believe it.

   by Mattroid - 2007-08-14
 » Wait, what
This has got to be a bad joke or publicity stunt. I mean, this is retarded, even for them.



Wait, I need to remember who we're talking about here...

   by Wankilla (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Did Suck, Still suck, always suck
Mebbe it ain't true, but it sounds like something these old turds would do. My god I 've hated this band sine I was 21 in 1981. Hell, I;m retiring soon.

Give it up you old fartknockers! You peaked before Beavis and Butthead!

   by 360gt captainducman (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » declineing sales lol
they say they are worried about a video game declining sales?!?!

wtf?!? lol

if anything causes their sales to decline it will be the fact that most hard rock fans look down upon crybaby b!tches

   by king kacorot (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » how dare you ffuukkrrz try to sue the game developers
metalica stop whinning like little BBIITTCCHZZ, they payed for the rights to the song and if you guys think people wont buy your cd because of 1 song then you guys are absolutly being moneygrubbin asssholes.I use to respect the band and now i know they are materalistic money hungery prick *****n *****s with little class,good going you wunch od DOOSH BAGS.

   by Spectre (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » yes...
LAWSUITS GALORE.

Thanks to bands like Metallica, the USA takes another fall with retarded lawsuits and the likes. Thank the American dream.

BTW, Metallica ain't wut they used 2b

   by Mark W. (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Fake
This is obviously fake. Even if the band was that dumb, their lawyers would not allow this to come to a lawsuit.

   by Saborlas (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Big hello from FARK!
you guys have until 9:12 PM EST before this story hits the main page at Fark.com ... expect a flood of traffic. It's a wee bit of a cyberspace rite of passage.

   by Keith K (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Lines must be crossed
Guitar Hero III is advertised on the official metallica website. Quite enthusiastically. And it was posted 2 weeks ago.

http://metallica.com/index.asp?item=600358


   Re: Keith K (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Rock Band too
Rock Band was announced on Metallica.com back in early July.

http://metallica.com/index.asp?item+600308
   by Rab39 (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Obviously satire
"When asked to comment, Gamestop representatives asked reporters if they were looking forward to Halo 3 and if they would like to maybe pre-order a copy to make sure they got one at the release."

very funny...

   by Metallica junkie (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Metallica are Gods!
***** all you *****suckers. Go listen to My Chemical Romance and slit your wrists. Metallica rules!


   Re: Mork you (Unregistered) - 2007-08-16
 » Wanker
You're a douche, just like MCR and Metallica.
   by nix (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » The problem
1) Does Metallica even realize that they licensed the song to a video game company? Didn't they get the check (over simplified)? Perhaps RIAA took Metallica out for burger and fries and didn't realize that was the compensation for the license of their song.

2) Really; people aren't going to spend $80 dollars to pirate a song off a video game. What is the difference of buying a $80 game and trying to find the audio file to pirate. VS. Buying a CD and ripping the audio from that disc? Ripping from a CD is easier for the average person.

Got a tip from Trent:
Trent Reznor Challenges Music Norms
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/16/1417205

Now Metallica; learn from the other kids and play nice. For what it is worth Metallica:

I have stopped buying mainstream music because your industry:
a) Sues people: IE FANS
b) puts out crap for music and expects people to buy it.
c) RIAA is greedy. $17-30 for a CD? Are you serious? DVD's have come down in price from $40 to $10-20. The prices of CD's have done nothing but climbed since its inception. Over time technology gets cheaper and prices come down; not so with RIAA.

Sum it up: suing fans, crappy music that is over priced.

All independent music for this old man. Yes; I buy CD's; kiss my money gooooooood bye.

   by chugs (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » "pre-emptive strike before the music gets out there".
What a joke, a pre-emptive strike. It has taken me all of 4 seconds to find the torrent that contains every single track Metallica has ever made.

Obviously they licensed the track cheaply and didn't realise how big these games are going to be and are backtracking all they can in order to renegotiate the agreement.

I always thought their music was somewhat contrived and, to put it badly, fake. Their suing is just further illustration that how they act in life is in no way shape or form what they say in their music.


   by Shane (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Fake
Confirmed to be a fake
http://n4g.com/industrynews/News-59225.aspx


   Re: yeah (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » so
even if it is fake they are still *****-sucking has beens

   Re: Wolfster (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » You guys are complete idiots
Of course you guys will believe anything that's thrown at you without the real facts.

typical ps3 fan *****....
   by M (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » please
so album sales are going to decline because it's going to be very easy for people to steal metallica music from a $90(aud) game? riiiiight.

they seriously need to get over it... people are downloading their music all the time... and i would hardly call guitar hero a culprit!

   by what? (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » Is metalica that hard up for money?
I have the black album and S&M and mabie another but why don't they want there song is in a game. Mabie people will love the song on guitar hero and say man I have to get more of there music, mabie I'll buy a cd.

   by Randy (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » crap
They should also sue the internet

honestly they're lucky to have someone willing to put the crap they're making nowadays in a game


   Re: Rainer (Unregistered) - 2007-08-14
 » It's fake
Harmonix has said that this is fake on the Rock Band Forums.


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