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"Chinese Democracy" Leaker Arrested on Suspicion of Violating Federal Copyright Law

August 27, 2008 2:30 PM ET

Remember back in June when those nine possibly Chinese Democracy-bound Guns n' Roses songs leaked? At the time, the man who admitted leaking them, Antiquiet blogger Kevin Skwerl, told Rock Daily "If legal proceedings come my way, I'll face them 100 percent. I'm not afraid of that. I did what I did, and I'll face the music if I have to" after a meeting with the FBI. Skwerl (real name Kevin Cogill) will face the law, as he was arrested this morning at his Culver City, California home for suspicion of violating federal copyright laws. According to the FBI, Cogill admitted to posting the songs when questioned. Cogill is set to appear at the U.S. District Court today, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian.

Related Stories:
Chinese Democracy Leaker Gets FBI Visit
The Real Chinese Democracy May Have Leaked
The Guide to the Leaked Chinese Democracy Tracks
More Guns N' Roses at Rock Daily

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Song Stories

“1999”

Prince | 1982

“I don’t consider myself a great poet,” Prince told Rolling Stone. “I just know I’m here to say what’s on my mind.” In the case of the apocalyptic party anthem “1999,” he was worried about then-president Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies. The song’s melody is based on a riff borrowed from the Mamas and Papas’ “Monday, Monday,” and Prince originally envisioned the first verse with three-part harmony but later split the vocals between himself and members of the Revolution. Because Warner Bros., with whom Prince was locked in a contractual battle, owned the original’s masters, Prince rerecorded the song and appropriately released that version in 1999.

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