Blogger arrested over leak of Guns N' Roses songs.

[The Monster]

Blogger arrested over leak of Guns N' Roses songs

Aug. 27, 2008, 7:51 AM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A blogger suspected of streaming songs from the unreleased Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" on his Web site was arrested Wednesday and appeared in court, where his bail was set at $10,000.

FBI agents arrested 27-year-old Kevin Cogill on Wednesday morning on suspicion of violating federal copyright laws. Cogill appeared in court in the afternoon wearing a T-shirt; his girlfriend sat court and afterward said, "Rally the troops," but declined further comment.

Federal authorities say Cogill posted nine unreleased Guns N' Roses songs on his Web site in June. The songs were later removed.

In later posts, Cogill wrote that the FBI had questioned him and asked his readers if any of them knew a good attorney. He was represented Wednesday by a federal public defender.

According to an arrest affidavit, Cogill admitted to agents that he posted the songs on his Web site. Prosecutors said Wednesday the leak could result in a "significant" financial loss for the band.

Cogill will not face any special Internet restrictions, but was ordered to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 17.

"Guns N' Roses representatives have been made aware of the arrest and are leaving the matter to the authorities," said Larry Solters, the band's spokesman.

"Chinese Democracy" is a much anticipated — and repeatedly delayed — new album by Guns N' Roses that is more than 10 years in the making. At least one of the album's songs could be heard legally: The band wrote on its Web site in July that its track, "Shackler's Revenge" will be featured on the video game Rock Band 2, slated for release in September.

 

[The Craw]

i heard axl himself turned this guy in to the feds. they recorded the conversation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOpelgRnVhI

 

[Mesa]

Axl Rose sucks. Has been, can't sing worth a crap anymore.

 

[Jen]

I've worked with bands and my boss still does - so I see this from the artist's perspectives and think the feds are doing the right thing.

 

[CelticPredator]

Good thing I got the CD before it got owned!111





















Kidding ! I dont even listen to rock and roll. Movie scores/soundtracks only!

 

[The Craw]

people wouldnt need to "borrow" these GNR songs if they would release the album already. they've been saying it will be released every year for the last 10 years. mark my words: it'll never be released.

 

[Jen]

people wouldnt need to "borrow" these GNR songs if they would release the album already. they've been saying it will be released every year for the last 10 years. mark my words: it'll never be released.

Whether they decide to release it or not, does not give someone the right to steal this music and offer it to the masses without artist approval. I personally doubt they will see any severe financial losses because I don't think it's going to do well anyway.....but that is beside the point.

 

[CelticPredator]

But....sharing IS caring!

 

[The Craw]

i say what financial loses? it is never gonna be released. the album doesnt exist. this argument can hold up in court.

 

[Jen]

i say what financial loses? it is never gonna be released. the album doesnt exist. this argument can hold up in court.

Regardless - it is still considered theft, plain and simple. Without artist's approval this blogger is toast.

 

[The Craw]

i say put one pissed GNR fan on the jury and this guy is walking.

 

[Jen]

i say put one pissed GNR fan on the jury and this guy is walking.

Nah.....the legal system is on the band's side on this one....copyright laws and all that.....pretty hard to ignore them.

 

[Vader AL]

yeah it's a good thing they are making a big deal of this because although I don't think it will hurt GnR because it will never be released(like I care though), it will send a strong message to deter bloggers, etc. from posting music of other musicians that actually release their albums.

 

[The Craw]

they already made in example of some lady here in MN. she had a few thousand songs she liked to share on a P2P network. she was monitored for a while and arrested in order to make an example out of. she was forced to pay quite a bit to various record companies. they'll never see the money though. she seemed like kind of a deadbeat.

 

[The Ween]

Axl Rose sucks. Has been, can't sing worth a crap anymore.

I wouldn't take that piece of crap if someone gave it to me! He could've been great, but he was, and is, too much of a Primadonna. And now he's trying to look like one with all his plastic surgery. I hope they lose money on the CD.

He doesn't sound any better than Britney Spears does live.

 

[The Ween]

they already made in example of some lady here in MN. she had a few thousand songs she liked to share on a P2P network. she was monitored for a while and arrested in order to make an example out of. she was forced to pay quite a bit to various record companies. they'll never see the money though. she seemed like kind of a deadbeat.

It's the whole Metallica/Napster thing all over again.

 

[SovereignStudio]

Sticky situation. legally and morally I guess. I've never been in favor of illegal downloading. People don't see (or care) how it hurts the artists. If the labels aren't making money, they cut way back on signing new artists thus less new music in the market, less artistic expression and inspiration, etc.

However, Axl should not be be surprised that his fans (yes, there are still MANY) desperately want to hear the new stuff. And the delay just raises that anticipation. And make no mistake, the album WILL do well if ever released. It's amazing how huge the fanbase still is for rock music of that era. It was only two years ago I realized bands like Poison, Quiet Riot, Warrior Soul and Dokken were STILL touring, and drawing huge crowds, mostly 30-somethings who grew up on that stuff. I nearly dropped a brick, I was so surprised And do not underestimate the overseas market, especially Asia. American 80's metal is big over there. Hell, there even a few NEW Asian bands adopting that look and sound.

I doubt anything really serious will happen to this guy, honestly. He's a poster boy. They're just trying to make him, and everyone else, crap their pants in fear. I assume he wasn't SELLING the songs/album? If not, they'll slap him around as much as possilbe, make an example and rattle a few sabres. If he was, though, he's super screwed. These things come down to how far the owner of the intellectual property wants to take the matter. Unfortunately, Axl is know for being quite a moody little hard-ass, and his whole career pretty much hinges on this thing.

 

[The Craw]

It's amazing how huge the fanbase still is for rock music of that era. It was only two years ago I realized bands like Poison, Quiet Riot, Warrior Soul and Dokken were STILL touring, and drawing huge crowds, mostly 30-somethings who grew up on that stuff. I nearly dropped a brick, I was so surprised

i actually saw QR twice when i lived in duluth a few years back. a lot of 80's bands used to perform at bars and clubs up there. it was awsome.

 

[Mesa]

I wouldn't take that piece of crap if someone gave it to me! He could've been great, but he was, and is, too much of a Primadonna. And now he's trying to look like one with all his plastic surgery. I hope they lose money on the CD.

He doesn't sound any better than Britney Spears does live.

Agreed, Axl took the pastic surgery too far...

 

[EVILFACE]

"Chinese Democracy" is a much anticipated —

Whatever.

Appetite for Destruction is and will be the only GNR album worth owning.