Love had a daughter by Cobain

Bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl said mental incompetence was causing Love to make bad business decisions - namely, to block the release of previously unheard material.

But Judge Robert Alsdorf said agreeing to a psychiatric test would "serve no purpose other than to contribute a circus-like atmosphere".

Love's lawyers, however, have said there is "not a shred" of evidence that she is mentally incompetent.

Novoselic and Grohl have said Love was "irrational", "unpredictable" and motivated by self-interest.

They launched a lawsuit against Love after she sued them for control of the band's songs earlier in 2001.

Love says Cobain was Nirvana's sole creative force

Love, Novoselic and Grohl are currently equal partners in the company that controls Nirvana's legacy, Nirvana LLC, and royalty payments are split three ways.

Novoselic and Grohl argue that the band was an equal partnership between the three members, and that while Cobain was a gifted songwriter, the finished music was a product of the trio.

But Love says that as Cobain's widow, she should control the catalogue of recorded material.

She argues that Cobain, who shot himself, had been the sole creative force in the band.

The argument centres around a box set to mark the 10th anniversary of legendary album Nevermind.

Love blocked its release because she did not want an unreleased song and potential hit, You Know You're Right, to be included.

Nirvana were the leading group in the United States grunge scene, with hits including Smells Like Teen Spirit and Come As You Are, after Nevermind was released in 1991.

Grohl has gone on to have success as singer and guitarist with a new band, Foo Fighters, while Love has also carved out an acting career with appearances in The People vs Larry Flynt and Man on the Moon.