Guns N' Roses singer wants 'Fat Axl Rose' memes removed by Google

Axl Rose wants Google to take down several unflattering images of him used in memes to mock his appearance.

The original photo, which appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press in 2010, has been copied and shared online thousands of times.

One image that the Guns N' Roses frontman wants removed includes the words, "Remember the 80s? He ate them".

A US takedown request centre says they're called "Fat Axl Rose" memes.

Harvard University's Lumen database lists at least 11 requests made on behalf of the singer citing copyright violations since 31 May.

Many of the memes use Guns N' Roses lyrics to mock Axl Rose.

Google says it sends these type of requests to the Lumen Database for publication.

The database shows that Axl Rose used a British company, Web Sheriff, to make the demands using America's Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

The 54-year-old singer is arguing that the photographer who attended the Chinese Democracy gig in 2010, Boris Minkevich, didn't sign a release form and the photo is therefore Axl Rose's property.

According to Torrent Freak, the notices sent to Blogspot and GoogleUserContent said: "Copyright image of Axl Rose. Please be advised that no permission has been granted to publish the copyright image so we cannot direct you to an authorized example of it."

Web Sherriff said that all accredited photographers at Axl Rose's shows must sign contracts that "specify and limit the manner in which the photos can be exploited, and transfer copyright ownership in such photos to AR's relevant service company".

Three original members of Guns N' Roses, Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan, performed together for the first time in 23 years in April.

They played a gig at the Troubador in West Hollywood before headlining Coachella Festival.

They're also touring throughout North America in June, July and August.