Axl Rose to sue Guitar Hero

Axl Rose’s $20 million lawsuit against Activision Blizzard Inc. is to proceed.

The Daily Breeze reports a judge confirmed on Thursday that Axl’s suit against the game-maker, for using a Guns N’ Roses song in its “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock” video game, will take place early next year.

Rose alleges that Santa Monica-based Activision reneged on a promise not to use images of the band’s former guitarist, Saul “Slash” Hudson, in the game. After a short conference with attorneys in chambers, Judge Charles Palmer scheduled the trial for Jan. 23.

“Simply put, the association between Slash and Guns N’ Roses ended almost 15 years ago. Rose resists any attempts to revive or strengthen this past association,” the complaint says.

Activision has denied any wrongdoing.