apropos of nothing

Guy Who Leaked ‘Chinese Democracy’ Arrested by Feds

By , a features writer for New York Magazine.  He was previously the magazine’s culture editor and one of the original editors of Vulture.

Photo: Getty Images


As you’ll probably recall, back in June, nine finished-sounding tracks from Guns N’ Roses’ fabled opus, Chinese Democracy, were leaked via some dude’s blog. A takedown notice came fast, followed by an exciting visit from the FBI, leading some to believe that Democracy was actually a completed, existent thing. Now comes word that 27-year-old blogger Kevin Cogill of Culver City, California, has been arrested on suspicion of violating federal copyright laws and will likely face three years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, in addition to any civil penalties sought by Axl and whoever the heck else is in Guns N’ Roses these days. Even so, they’d probably have to give this guy a life sentence before we’d believe that Chinese Democracy is actually finished.

Blogger arrested, accused of posting 9 unreleased Guns N’ Roses songs [LAT via Idolator]