A Detroit-based rock band called ‘Romantics’ has taken legal action against "Guitar Hero" publisher Activision on the ground that the game infringes the rock group's rights by featuring a sound recording similar to their hit music "What I like About You."  

According to reports, the suit against Activision includes indefinite compensation for using the recording, which is one of the popular music on Guitar Hero Encore: "Rocks the 80s" that was released for Play Station consoles in July.

The rock band has also sought an injunction against the game and if the demand is accepted it could take the bestseller off store shelves in the thick of the current holiday shopping season.

The video game Guitar Hero was released in late 2005 in the United States and enjoyed great success leading to the launch of a number of sequels including "Guitar Hero II," "Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s," and "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" all within a few years time.

The game allows the users to play along to songs with a guitar-shaped controller. And the trouble is that Activision has used a mix of original band recordings and cover versions in its Guitar Hero series.

The band has said that copyright is no issue with them and their attorney has emphasized that there would have been no problems at all if Activision has sought and secured prior permission from the ‘Romantics’ for using the song ‘What I Like About You’, which allowed it to record a cover version.

But what has actually annoyed the rock group is that Activision created an imitation on the basis of the popular song. This, the band considers to be an infringement on their rights.

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