GNR Uploader Gets Two Months House Arrest, Plus Will Produce Propaganda For RIAA

from the yeah,-that'll-work dept

It still doesn't make much sense that the FBI got involved in trying to track down and arrest a guy who uploaded a pre-release version of Guns 'N Roses' long awaited new album before it was released. If anything, it should have been a civil matter -- and, honestly, there's little indication that the upload caused any harm whatsoever. In fact, it was the arrest, not the uploading that seemed to alert more people to the fact that the download was available in the first place. Should the FBI now investigate itself for better promoting the pre-release download?

That said, the guy who uploaded the songs, Kevin Cogill, agreed to a plea bargain. While the FBI still pushed for jailtime for Cogill, it looks like he's getting two months of house arrest (plenty of time to sit at home and listen to the new GNR, I guess) and has agreed to make a propaganda video for the RIAA. I'm not quite sure what the RIAA thinks such propaganda will accomplish, other than alerting more people to how ridiculous the RIAA's anti-piracy campaign has been.
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Filed Under: guns 'n roses, house arrest, kevin cogill
Companies: fbi, riaa


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  1. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 5:10pm

    Why FBI involvement?

    Perhaps 17 USC 506(a)

    "Propoganda video"!

    Is it propoganda for one who broke the law to fess up on camera and suggest to others it is not a smart thing to do?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Digital Protector, 14 Jul 2009 @ 5:41pm

    It's not just a copy, it's a crime!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 6:12pm

    That'll teach the little bastard. Don't copy that floppy, bro.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 6:14pm

    Propaganda at gunpoint is the most convincing kind, right?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 6:19pm

    How many more innocent people have to die? Oh, nevermind. Wrong forum. I thought maybe the FBI was out LOOKING FOR TERRORISTS. Good for you, boys. You found one. Two thumbs up for the apprehension and successful prosecution of budding terrorist Kevin Cogill.

    WTF? You busted him for uploading a bootleg GUNS N ROSES album? But wait, their music sucks. I heard that the detainees over in Guantanamo were forced to listen to Guns N Roses until they broke down and confessed to every unsolved crime in American history.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    News O Mator, 14 Jul 2009 @ 6:25pm

    I'd say

    I'd say listening to Guns N' Roses new album would probably be punishment enough.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. icon
    Mike Masnick (profile), 14 Jul 2009 @ 6:39pm

    Re:

    Why FBI involvement?

    Not why in the law. Why in *common sense*?

    Is it propoganda for one who broke the law to fess up on camera and suggest to others it is not a smart thing to do?

    Yes. Because no one will believe he means it. If anything it will just expose the hypocrisy of the whole thing. It'll make people wonder why we're putting public resources towards punishing a guy who was just trying to promote a band he liked.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. icon
    ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Jul 2009 @ 6:39pm

    What's the problem?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. icon
    ChurchHatesTucker (profile), 14 Jul 2009 @ 6:40pm

    What's the problem?

    Music died in the seventies. Home taping killed it.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 7:05pm

    Re: What's the problem?

    I thought video killed the radio star.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Your Friendly Neighborhood Librarian, 14 Jul 2009 @ 7:12pm

    Coolest

    Can't wait to see the mashup/remix on THAT video! :D

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    rick, 14 Jul 2009 @ 7:20pm

    "This is your brain; This is your brain on RIAA!"

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. identicon
    Joe, 14 Jul 2009 @ 7:40pm

    The RIAA has been ridiculous lately.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 7:43pm

    Re:

    Its a crime due to Politics

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    Kenny, 14 Jul 2009 @ 7:51pm

    It would be funny if South Park did an episode about downloading music ... oh wait, they did !

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 7:54pm

    Re: Re:

    "...a guy who was just trying to promote a band he liked."

    Maybe this guy should have asked the band if they wanted him to promote its then upcoming album.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 10:17pm

    Welcome to the jungle.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2009 @ 10:43pm

    RIAA can scheme

    Maybe the album was leaked, and no one cared or downloaded it. So the RIAA got the FBI involved to generate some buzz.

    it could happen

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. identicon
    Bradley Stewart, 15 Jul 2009 @ 3:15am

    Just Because You Can Do Something

    doesn't mean you should do it. The FBI may be the agency of jurisdiction to handle this but really, the FBI being called in for this? Ah, the FBI hasn't been the same since Efrem Zimbalist Jr.retired.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 3:32am

    Re: Re:

    "Not why in the law. Why in *common sense*?"

    Federal crime, federal agency. How hard is that to understand? Who would you want on this beat, maybe some New York City meter maids?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    TPBer, 15 Jul 2009 @ 5:16am

    Why?

    The new release was soooo bad it was not even worth the bandwidth to download. I immediately erased from HD.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. icon
    chris (profile), 15 Jul 2009 @ 6:23am

    Re:

    I thought maybe the FBI was out LOOKING FOR TERRORISTS.

    clearly the terrorists are not doing enough to show up on the FBI's radar. if osama bin laden was uploading 80's hair metal to the internets the FBI would have given him 2 in the chest and 1 in the head 5 years ago.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:04am

    Re: Re: Re:

    I would go to jail for 100 years before I make s propaganda film for anyone. Of course, I would sooner die than pay RIAA anything... so RIAA... GFL

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    Thomas, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:04am

    just goes to show priorities

    Wouldn't you think terrorists would be more important than uploaders? How many uploaders plant bombs in the roads? How many uploaders take aim with RPGs or even know what an RPG is? Obviously the FBI gets more money from the likes of the **AA.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. identicon
    The Music Void, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:28am

    Piracy Is The Tip Of The Iceberg

    And the other side of the business (the part proper music lovers actually give a shit about) is also suffering. Developing young artists' live performances is integral to the success of the music industry and, at grass-roots, if there is corruption what message does this send out to artists and consumers alike? Surely, if companies supposedly at the heart of the industry are profiting from artists' live work why should the consumer pay for the recorded product?

    Read more at: http://www.themusicvoid.com/2009/05/parasite-small-time-non-promoters-ripping-of-artists/

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:35am

    So, enforce some laws, but not others?

    People seem to keep missing several points in their zeal to defend someone who aided in the posting of stolen GNR recordings.

    (1) There there is some controversy over timing, the person in question appears to have illegally obtained material from a private computer and posted that material before anyone else. Just obtaining the material involved breaking a number of laws.

    (2) The FBI enforces federal laws. Somehow people think they can prioritize FBI activities. Well, the FBI should not be sitting there saying, "Gee, what laws will we not enforce this week?" They have an obligation to enforce all federal laws, and the person in question broke one or more federal, criminal laws.

    (3) The ire, cynicism and sarcasm of the posters here is misdirected. If you do not like the law, get Congress to change the law, do not blame the FBI for enforcing the law, as they are required to do, even if some of the laws are more akin to running traffic lights rather than bank robbery.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. identicon
    Yakko Warner, 15 Jul 2009 @ 7:41am

    Re: Re: What's the problem?

    Only in your mind and in your car.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. identicon
    Enrico Suarve, 15 Jul 2009 @ 8:08am

    Re: Re: Re: What's the problem?

    Honestly please rewind - you've gone too far

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 8:32am

    Re: So, enforce some laws, but not others?

    "If you do not like the law, get Congress to change the law,"

    Just because the RIAA had no problems getting congress write new laws for the recording industry, after spending 100's of millions in campaign contributions and lobbying, doesn't mean some emails from angry Techdirt readers will get congress to act for them.
    IMHO

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. identicon
    Wolfy, 15 Jul 2009 @ 11:29am

    It appears that with the hiring of former MPAA and RIAA lawyers at the Justice Department, the current administration has partaken of the kool-aide(c).

    I'm beginning to understand how the Iranians feel...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. icon
    monkyyy (profile), 15 Jul 2009 @ 11:55am

    Re:

    go away dp
    we HATE U
    for every cent u sold ur soul for theres a person u wishes u were dead

    u should lie so many times in a commercial that so many innocent minds will be attacked by

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 12:11pm

    Re: Re: So, enforce some laws, but not others?

    Let me be more clear.

    Ultimately, the laws of the United States are affected by ordinary citizens, when enough of them care to make a difference. It does not matter how many millions lobbyists spend, if you galvanize enough citizens, you can overcome.

    Witness the NRDC, which was gone up against big oil, loggers, and even El Presidente, and won - several times. How? By grass roots campaigns pulling together consortiums of support from a hodgepodge of groups including Greenpeace, NRDC supporters, The Sierra Club, and others. When Congress has had to face 5 million people over a bill to permit oil drilling or "dual use," meaning mining companies get to mine in national parts, guess what happens? They back down.

    The difference is support. If there are millions of voters against something, you can keep if from happening. If there are tens of millions of voters against something, laws can be changed. I hear a lot of complaining about copyright, patents, etc., but relatively little action. Until someone equivalent to the NRDC galvanizes millions of people, you are right, nothing will be done. But, the lack of action also means that the laws have the implicit support of the majority of voters - which those in favor of the laws will claim is the VAST majority of supporters.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. icon
    Almost Anonymous (profile), 15 Jul 2009 @ 1:17pm

    Re: Re: Re: So, enforce some laws, but not others?

    """Ultimately, the laws of the United States are affected by ordinary citizens, when enough of them care to make a difference. It does not matter how many millions lobbyists spend, if you galvanize enough citizens, you can overcome."""

    You are refreshingly naive and dumbfoundedly ignorant of the real world. Money always trumps voices. Although in a funny way you are kind-of right: if more "ordinary citizens" put their money where their mouth is, they could probably accomplish change the way lobbyists do... and become lobbyists in the process. I'll leave it up to the individual whether "lobbyist" is a dirty word.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. identicon
    A nony mouse, 15 Jul 2009 @ 3:03pm

    fair use is not illegal

    as long as you arent profiting off the downloads, there is nothing technically illegal with pirating music. its not stealing. theft implies the oriiginal is gone. pirating is copying.

    those who pirate and make a profit? my full blessings to go after them. im not going to pay for a song then end up not liking it.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. identicon
    John thomas, 15 Jul 2009 @ 3:26pm

    Wow

    OMgosh dude I think you may be onto something here!

    RT
    www.anonymize.tk

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 Jul 2009 @ 5:23pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: So, enforce some laws, but not others?

    You obviously did not read the entire post. Note that NRDC was referenced as an organization that has successfully fought money interests, with far less money than big oil and logging concerns, among others. Though the NRDC can be militant, they have been effective at protecting the environment in many places.

    The NRDC has shown it can be done, if someone acts as an organizer. So, rather than sitting back and joining the other naysayers who claim that big money always wins, which NRDC has proven false multiple times, why don't you be the catalyst for leadership in copyright reform and galvanize a coalition that has some power?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. identicon
    A, 16 Jul 2009 @ 3:08am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: So, enforce some laws, but not others?

    Umm you are forgetting that the groups of which made the noise e.g. PETA have alot of funding and support from many people.

    The current laws are not working for the people obviously, because the RIAA wouldnt have to sue 20k+ people "to send a message" and obviously their current method of giving the consumer their media fails due to having to resort to this too.

    File sharers will not be given their time because A) The big media companies are fighting against them.
    B) Supposed support from the public to prosecute them.

    The reason for A being a problem is pretty obvious, big media can blast their ads for saying "ALL FILE SHARING IS ILLEGAL, 1 DOWNLOAD IS 1 LOST SALE WHICH ADDS UP TO BILLIONS A YEAR" to mum&dad and they will believe it.

    B is a trickier thing because its obvious that the general public does see a problem with the current laws and they would attempt to change the laws, even help the companies develop a new method of buying media. Politicians dont see the issue of point A coming to light therefore they only see 1 side of the issue and will just continue down this path.

    Governments are meant to embody the will of the people.
    They should not force the will of the elites onto the people as it currently is.


    File sharers are gathering support. How else did the Pirate Party get two seats and more votes than quite a few parties in the EU election?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 16 Jul 2009 @ 5:54am

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: So, enforce some laws, but not others?

    Umm you are forgetting that the groups of which made the noise e.g. PETA have alot of funding and support from many people.

    Actually, PETA was not and is typically not part of NRDC's coalition. Also, NRDC does not "have alot [sic] of funding." Usually they appeal for funding from membership and aligned organizations for each activity. It has taken them weeks to pull together funding for a single television commercial, unlike PETA, which advertises all the time.

    File sharers will not be given their time because A) The big media companies are fighting against them.
    B) Supposed support from the public to prosecute them.


    Now, that is a problem, is it not? Fundamentally, you are saying that the public likes the law the way it is, which means it will never be changed. Ergo, Mike is wasting his time. Somehow, I think that many of the people who post here believe change is possible, in spite of your beliefs. I think big media is like any other organization. When you get enough people galvanized to fight them, they will be relatively powerless. As for support from public, that is just a matter of education, right? Education should be the real mission of people trying to change the law, and that is one of Mike Masnick's purposes.

    The reason for A being a problem is pretty obvious, big media can blast their ads for saying "ALL FILE SHARING IS ILLEGAL, 1 DOWNLOAD IS 1 LOST SALE WHICH ADDS UP TO BILLIONS A YEAR" to mum&dad and they will believe it.

    Oh, please. Mum and dad grew up in the 60's and no longer believe everything they are told. Indeed, mum and dad may have a bigger distrust of big business than they let on. Give mum and dad some credit for intelligence. Educate them and they will choose the side that makes the most sense.

    B is a trickier thing because its obvious that the general public does see a problem with the current laws and they would attempt to change the laws, even help the companies develop a new method of buying media. Politicians dont see the issue of point A coming to light therefore they only see 1 side of the issue and will just continue down this path.

    This issue was the entire point of the earlier post. People will only change when they are motivated to change. Part of that motivation comes from education, which comes from exposure. While Mike's blog is interesting, it reaches dozens or hundreds of people, but in order to effect change you have to reach millions, which takes a larger, concerted effort. Yes, it is work. Welcome to the real world.

    Governments are meant to embody the will of the people.
    They should not force the will of the elites onto the people as it currently is.


    I cannot believe you said this. You essentially said that the government is executing the will of the people, and then you turn around and say that the government is enforcing the will of the "elites," whoever or whatever they may be. Again, the will of the people has been shown to have power again and again and again. Jimmy Carter was swept into office by the will of the people, not the "elites." Ronald Reagan appealed to the public, not the "elites," to support his programs, asking Americans to call their congressmen. Millions did. The NRDC and PETA have shown that with advertising and education, people will support just causes. Invoking "elites" is admitting to defeat before the battle has even begun.

    File sharers are gathering support. How else did the Pirate Party get two seats and more votes than quite a few parties in the EU election?

    Oh, goody. An obscure party gets two seats. Two does not a revolution make. If you consider this a victory, your standards are quite low. If you consider this a beginning, better, but this statement contradicts your defeatism in the rest of your post.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. identicon
    Adam, 27 Jul 2009 @ 2:49pm

    GNR

    Getting arrested for Guns 'n Roses is very sad indeed. Not sure I'd be bragging to any other inmates about that...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. identicon
    تقنية المعلومات, 1 Nov 2010 @ 10:38am

    it dosen't make any sense .. its GNR !!!!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  41. identicon
    newest jordan shoes, 8 Nov 2010 @ 11:15pm

    newest jordan shoes

    I like this concept. I visited your blog for the first time and just been your fan. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday

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  42. icon
    sprearson81 (profile), 8 Jun 2012 @ 6:27pm

    Nothing like a good bit of propaganda

    link to this | view in thread ]

  43. icon
    lrobbo (profile), 12 Jun 2012 @ 9:55am

    Iye, can't beat a good bit of the old propaganda

    link to this | view in thread ]

  44. identicon
    chnlove review, 23 Jul 2012 @ 8:59pm

    Good post

    I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities attract us.

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