Blogger Arrested Over Guns N' Roses Leak

Kevin Cogill Suspected Of Streaming Tracks Of Unreleased Album "Chinese Democracy"

(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 Wednesday afternoon; his girlfriend sat in 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 arrests 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.

[frigginnutz]

HELL YEAH CUT HIS HANDS OFF THE LITTLE INTERNET THEIF

[whitecat151]

sincityq said
"This is good... we are arresting Americans now for posting unauthorized songs about... lemme get this straight; Chinese Democracy?"

What??? You need to think a bit...

This has nothing to do with the political subject matter of the songs involved. It has to do with the songs themselves.

The point being that the Guns N'' Roses could have sung about kitties and butterflies... and this idiot stole the songs and spread them throughout the world.

Of course you didn''t think about that part.

Regards,
WC

[whitecat151]

sincityq said
"This is good... we are arresting Americans now for posting unauthorized songs about... lemme get this straight; Chinese Democracy?"

What??? You need to think a bit...

This has nothing to do with the political subject matter of the songs involved. It has to do with the songs themselves.

The point being that the Guns N'' Roses could have sung about kitties and butterflies... and this idiot stole the songs and spread them throughout the world.

Of course you didn''t think about that part.

Regards,
WC

[dopeydoper]

What a GROSS misuse of law enforcement resources. I want to know what public servant authorized this investigation. What a JOKE.

[talk2chief]

Stealing is stealing. It''s funny how some people only apply "law" when it''s convenient, or if it directly affects them. What a bunch of idiots with moronic opinions. Unbelievable. Our gene pool needs an ***!

[gatofeo]

Most of you are missing the point: the theft of copyrighted material is a crime. And it''s a crime that costs artists billions of dollars worldwide, if not trillions.
As a writer and photographer I rejoice in this thief being arrested. He''s a thief, people!
I''ve had copyrighted material stolen so I know what it''s like.
Copyright means the holder of the copyright owns all rights to a written or spoken piece of work.
It takes talent, time and effort to create a work. Why should someone else be allowed to steal it and affect your business?
If you''ve ever had a copyrighted work stolen from you, you''d feel different about it, believe me.

[rwsmith29456]

Doesn''t matter if the album flops. If it does it''ll be too bad for GNR, but they certainly deserve that chance without the album being pirated.

[nothappyatall]

As a writer and photographer I rejoice in this thief being arrested. He''''s a thief, people!
I''''ve had copyrighted material stolen so I know what it''''s like.

Posted by Gatofeo "

All true, same here!, HOWEVER, for anyone other than the music/movie industry you are on your own, ONLY the music/movie industry gets SPECIAL rights havingthe freaking FBI go out investigate and ARREST someone. Fo all others whose works are stolen, you are forced to investigate at your expense and file your own lawsuit IF you can find the perp.

So if your drawings and art are stolen and posted on the web anonymously, good luck finding the perp and suing, but if you are a RECORDING or MOVIE artist, the Govt does it all for you, what''s wrong with that special treatment for the rich music/movie industries picture while the little guy gets skrewed and NO help??

[billpl-2009]

...sorta like getting arrested for giving away sewage

[cbsblogger]

If these corporations can have US citizens arrested for piracy of their product, the US citizen workers should have the power to have any employer who hires illegal immigrants arrested for piracy of US labor.

Illegal immigrants are illegal workers that employers use to save money, just as US citizens use piracy of such products to save money. The illegalities cause both sides to lose money.

[billpl-2009]

"...it''''s stealing...." post by sbbm

Yeah, and so is dumping Tea off a merchant ship.

Fact is, the only reason the recording industry came in be is for the "distribution" music NOT "creation".
Music is culture, not a commodity.
And thanks to technology and the Internet we don''t need them anymore.

Now if people want pay to here Axel Rose perform live, fine.
Radio stations and discos use his music to make money, fine...pay him.
Put a playpal donation on his website...maybe so.
...but pay just for the privilege to listen to him on a some recording device?....ridicules.

For the Recording Industry, two words....Printing Press.

...oh and don''t worry Axel....regardless, lot''s of money or not, the girls will still line up to pull your pants down

[billpl-2009]

"And try learning to spell before you" Posted by babykilller

I really hate petty morons who pick on people''s spelling and grammar on an open Internet forum.
I''m an Internet programmer who wears reading glasses the size of binoculars. I can''t see S--t.
If it gets past spell check....it flies.
hear''s can get passed off as here''s along with a few missing the''s and to''s
....and you can suc my a ss
------------------
I''ll repeat "Music is culture NOT a commodity"
The music industry is a blood sucking media monster
they''ll *** anything to make a buck
what they do does matter
and everyone knows it
...and who was it that busted this clown?
the FBI
Hmmm...

[urnot]

So the U.S. Government is now using YOUR TAX MONEY to protect PRIVATE copyrights. This used to be a CIVIL matter, requiring the owners to protect their OWN PROPERTY with THEIR MONEY. Then the music industry LOBBIED the BUSH ADMINISTRATION and (miracle happens), the BUSH authoritarians said "Yes, we will now use TAXPAYER MONEY to PROTECT THE BIG MUSIC INSUSTRY.

So there you have it- The US is using YOUR TAX MONEY to protect the private property rights of big music companies. What is next? Will the government start protecting company''s PATENTS using OUR TAX MONEY? Might as well. Americans are SHEEP and just a source of MONEY for BIG CORPORATIONS getting government CORPORATE WELFARE from giveaways of TAXPAYER money.

[Michael Arnold]

First, who cares about this washed-up bunch of losers. Second, what''s the frickin'' POLICE doing arresting someone for copyright infringement?

Oh I forgot, its the Police State at work (again)

As for me, I''m tired of seeing this ***. I''ll just stop buying ANY music.

Weasels.

[tootall10142]

Ill bet the songs all sound the same like chesney or brooks or even dylan. After hearing them three times you just want to frickkin die if you hear again and yes they will play it over and aver until they think it is embeded in your brain and will download ,oops i mean go out and actually spend money on a album that will flop in thirty minutes.

[edwinljones]

The FBI protects those it wants to protect and vindictively persecutes those it wants. Steven Hatfill and myself know that oh to well. ( State of Indiana v. Edwin Jones 49G069001CF007921 )

[kmccliment]

10 years in the making???

Lets face it Guns and Roses SUCKKK!

[u-r-right]

If Axl wasn''t such a prissy crybaby, I might care.

If this were the late 1980''s and Guns N Roses were still relevant, I might care.

If their music was so different and unique from anything else out there, a different sound than that of Ratt or Poison or Kix, then I might care.

Since all of the above do not apply, I don''t care and I can guarantee this album is going to flop anyway. Sorry Axl, you waited too long and you alienated a lot of people in the process with your attitude.

[whatisit21]

so who did Guns ''N'' roses steal the Lyrics from? Some drunk on main street? I view the article as advertisement for the album. The guy may have been paid by Guns ''N'' Roses to post the songs. How did he get them? They give it to him?

[gopack443]

That is the only way anyone is ever going to hear that album.

[republic1776]

These hair bands are showing their true colors...
Green!

[tootsie1963]

HE SOULD BE THANKED NOT ARRESTED....FREE PUBLICITY

[pollroller1]

So the U.S. Government is now using YOUR TAX MONEY to protect PRIVATE copyrights. This used to be a CIVIL matter, requiring the owners to protect their OWN PROPERTY with THEIR MONEY. Then the music industry LOBBIED the BUSH ADMINISTRATION and (miracle happens), the BUSH authoritarians said "Yes, we will now use TAXPAYER MONEY to PROTECT THE BIG MUSIC INDUSTRY Posted by urnot at 04:02 AM
You are absolutely right on urnot. It is a civil matter. The music industry should use their money and not us peasants hard earned tax dollars for this petty B-S.

[jydavis1]

regardless of the release date, 9/11 was still an inside job

[rushlimpdrug]

I never heard of this group.
I take it that they are not a Christian rock band.
Posted by gop_forever at 09:06 AM


They are the biggest Christian rock band in the world.

Their lyrics come from the Bible.

God has all their albums.

They visit the Pope often.

Look it up.

You aren''t a real Christian are you.

You write like a Devil worshiper.

Repent! (or burn in HELL!)

[pollroller1]

rushlimpdrug is right gop_forever. This past Sunday our church choir was singing all of their great gospel songs.

[crazycwp]

gop_forever the reason you have never heard of this band is because you live in a deep, dark cave and you are as ignorant as the day is long. You continue to prove that every time you post. Anyway, Axl can you tell us how this guy got the ding-dang songs in the first place? I am curious to know. And, by the way, G N R wasn''t that great in the first place, so if this album clears the top 1000, I''ll be surprised.

[pollroller1]

gop_forever, I am just shocked that you have not heard of this wonderful Christian rock group. Such songs as Paradise City and Sweet Child O Mine to name just a couple of their great gospel hymns.

[rushlimpdrug]

Now I am going to rock out to some Switchfoot and cleanse my soul.
Posted by gop_forever at 09:47 AM


That group is the most homosexxual group in the world.

Switchfoot is as devil worship group as they come.

Please if you have to play their music don''t listen
to their lyrics.

God bless.

[crazycwp]

Is it really clean in that dank, dark cave you reside in? Yeah right

[crazycwp]

My previous comment was directed soley to gop_forever. which stands for goofy old pervert

[gheemaster38]

Obama Fault!!

[kuei12]

The only way it could result in significant financial loss to the band is if the songs were *** and no one bought the cd after hearing them. And with guns and roses it''s a good chance that the songs are all ***. One more washed up old band trying to make a comeback to pay off their drug dealer.

[evdb-2009]

bande de t...

[babooph]

A fully crooked business,how can anyone care if it gets ripped off-like robbing the mafia.

[jydavis1]

arguing with a Christian is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win you''re still retarded.

[kommoncents-2009]

jydavis1 - That''s the funniest thing I''ve ever heard! Can I use that?

[rave_on3]

regardless of the release date, 9/11 was still an inside job


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jydavis1 at 09:10 AM : Aug 28, 2008

...and Earth is flat and the lunar landing was a hoax

[rave_on3]

crazycwp, the real reason I have never heard of this group is because I live in the clean world.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by gop_forever at 09:48 AM : Aug 28, 2008

You mean the one where you''re physically bound and the only reality you are aware of are the shadows passing on the wall in front of you?

[spadeisspade]

Judging from their legally released track "Shackler''s Revenge", it looks like the only ones responsible for Guns N Roses'' financial loss is Guns N Roses.

[impeach__w]

You can argue with math but then you''d be wrong.

[yongamerica]

Who''d buy a Guns''n Roses CD anyway? Only people that listen to them are meth crazed theives anyway.

[roachcrusher]

crazycwp, the real reason I have never heard of this group is because I live in the clean world.

Posted by gop_forever at 09:48 AM : Aug 28, 2008

Wait, wait, you live in the Republican world. How is that clean? Republican political representatives hit on other men on the Internet and in men''s rooms; blood and murder in Iraq by Republicans and conservatives Bush and Cheney (and people like you); pollution by oil companies who own this administration; ugly and dirty poverty created by Republicons and conservarats.

No no, you don''t live in a clean world. You live in a dirty and ugly, murderous hate-filled world.

GOP=Greed, Outlaws and Poverty

[rushlimpdrug]

Who''''d buy a Guns''''n Roses CD anyway? Only people that listen to them are meth crazed theives anyway.
Posted by yongamerica at 12:42 PM


Don''t know about that but I knew a guy that slept with guns and Roses.

He loved his guns.

Some of the Roses were good looking.

He also slept with a few Lindas, but
that''s another story.

[makemyday2da]

How could you not have ever heard of Guns''n''Roses unless you''re about 8-yrs-old - or live in a cave? When "November Rain" came out it could be heard on any rock station. BTW, I enjoy GNR immensely and I''m NOT a meth-crazed thief. I''m middle-aged and this is my music! And I don''t give a d--n what anyone thinks! If you don''t like it, don''t listen - just the way I am with country (hick) music.

[drinuk]

Sledge hammer to crack a nut, totally over the top and in favour of Corporate America yet again. the albun has been ten years in the making..BS, time to throw it in the garbage, it''s now out of date.

A total bloody farce, big bother strikes again

[neo267-2009]

When a newspaper or news magazine releases something early it''s a "scoop." Normal people get arrested.

[shortyfudpuc]

Thanks to these music industry people(if you will be so kind to call the that) I can no longer make MY OWN RINGTONES, ON MY OWN COMPUTER, WITH MY OWN SOFTWARE AND MIDI COMPONENTS AND PUT THEM ON MY!!! OWN *** PHONE. I really think they need to throw the lobbiest and money people out of Washington. I paid for the phone computer and software and now I cannot use them in a manner I want to because "I MIGHT steal intellectual copyrighted material." I guess if one does something wrong we will shoot the whole village.

[latrocinor-2009]

Break the law, go to jail. Good.

All these criminals who want artists to work for free don''t get a bit of sympathy from me.

[shortyfudpuc]

Thanks to these music industry people(if you will be so kind to call the that) I can no longer make MY OWN RINGTONES, ON MY OWN COMPUTER, WITH MY OWN SOFTWARE AND MIDI COMPONENTS AND PUT THEM ON MY!!! OWN *** PHONE. I really think they need to throw the lobbiest and money people out of Washington. I paid for the phone computer and software and now I cannot use them in a manner I want to because "I MIGHT steal intellectual copyrighted material." I guess if one does something wrong we will shoot the whole village.