RIAA MAKING AN EXAMPLE OUT OF GN’R LEAKER

You know a music story is big when it’s written about in the Wall Street Journal, and that’s exactly what’s happened with the plight of Kevin Cogill, the man accused of posting leaked Guns N’ Roses music.  The Journal ran an article last week describing how Cogill’s arrest signals a more aggressive stance in the fight against online music piracy.   The Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) director told the paper that they wanted to show the world that there are consequences to piracy, explaining, “When we tell somebody to just take it down and there’s no penalty, there’s no arrest, there’s no fine, it’s very easy for them to continue to do it.”  Cogill could face both criminal charges, a civil copyright infringement suit from the GN’R camp, a 250-thousand dollar fine and up to three years in jail.  That’s not to mention the 1.3-million dollar damages that could come with the civil charges, even if he proves that his leaking the songs helped sell the record by generating press for the band.  A preliminary hearing takes place on the 17th.

GN’R, SLASH SPEAK OUT AGAINST LEAKER: With the recent arrest of Kevin Cogill, the man who posted leaked Guns N’ Roses music, people are speaking out.  According to the Los Angeles Times, GN’R released a statement that read, “Presently, though we don’t support this guy’s actions at that level, our interest is the original source.”  Meanwhile, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash had more to say, noting, “I hope he rots in jail.  It’s going to affect the sales of the record and it’s not fair.  The Internet is what it is, and you have to deal with it accordingly, but I think if someone goes and steals something, it’s theft.”  Cogill, who has been charged with copyright infringement, now faces up to three years in prison and a 250-thousand dollar fine.  His next court date is September 17th.

AXL ROSE PURSUED KELLY OSBOURNE? If you believe what you read in the gossip magazines, then it seems Axl Rose is into Kelly Osbourne.  Kelly’s friend, designer Richie Rich, told OK magazine that at a recent party, the Guns N’ Roses singer was pursuing Ozzy’s daughter.  Rich revealed the 46-year-old Rose was acting strange with Kelly, noting, “He was really weird with her.  He kept leering at her and saying, ‘I want to f**k you!’”  If it is true, Axl must not have gotten the memo that Kelly is involved with model Luke Worrell.