I've read in interviews with Slash that he says that Axl made them sign some papers handing over rights to the GNR name to Axl. I don't buy it as the press release the other day stated Axl, Slash and Duff were trying to get the Greatest hits release blocked. While I was searching through the trademark registry I did a search on Guns n Roses. Looks like Slash, Axl and Duff jointly own the trademark to the name.

Word Mark GUNS N' ROSES
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 036. G & S: prerecorded video and audio tapes, prerecorded phonograph records and prerecorded compact discs all featuring music. FIRST USE: 19841200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19841200
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74295263
Filing Date July 16, 1992
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition January 12, 1993
Registration Number 1762599
Registration Date April 6, 1993
Owner (REGISTRANT) GUNS N' ROSES composed of W. Axl Rose, Saul Hudson p/k/a "Slash" and Michael "Duff" McKagan, all U.S. citizens PARTNERSHIP CALIFORNIA 450 N. ROXBURY DRIVE 8TH FLOOR BEVERLY HILLS CALIFORNIA 90210-422
Attorney of Record HARVEY S HERTZ
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20030504.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 20030504
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE