Here is the legal brief so no one can question this anymore--THIS WAS THE RIAA, NOT GNR.  Also, it notes the case began when an RIAA special investigator notified the FBI--not GNR.  Also, it details the law, there is no doubt this material is copyrighted--if it wasn't, then the Fed's would not have prosecuted.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/ye … 2gnr1.html

The RIAA's copyright unit has been going after these infringements for the past several years.  The record labels signed a joint agreement, which created a task force unit within the RIAA which specifically monitors and seeks out music industry copyright infringement.  Many times there is no prosecution, because the band leaks it itself.  Obviously, GNR did not leak this, so that is answered.

I am not going to argue with you--these songs are jointly owned by Universal Music and GNR, there are all kinds of legal precedents and statutes which have determined this.  In fact, unreleased material, is a far more serious copyright offense.  The RIAA, caught wind of this, and under their agreement with the labels asked for the FBI to "scare the shit out of this guy, and see if he shakes".  Well, he then admitted he broke the law--one that hit the federal prosecutors desk, by law he has to prosecute.  It does not matter James, you don't want the guy who shot you to be prosecuted, but once it is deemed he shot you and by doing so broke a law, the prosecutor has to act.  Any blame directed towards the band regarding this is childish, and based off some insane feeling like they are somehow a part of the band or suffer from Freudian super-ego issues.  I feel for the guy, but think about it, why is anyone pissed at the band for this?  Makes no sense at all.

James--the music was stolen from the owner, Universal.  Skwerl would probably have been OK, if he would not have said that he got the stuff from his friend "who works at Universal" and that he "used to work at Universal in distribution".  Universal, at that point, had to act.  If all of their artists find out that "Distribution" is leaking the music they make contractually for Universal, then Universal is libel for breach of contract suits from here to eternity.  All the record labels, and the RIAA formed an agreement regarding copyright infringement many years ago, and the RIAA has a unit for this.  And yes, I am sure the prosecutor told Axl the laws this guy broke.  "Consult" in legal terms means "inform".  GN'R, has no say in "if", "how" or when anyone who breaks a law is prosecuted.

Update--just got off the phone with a copyright lawyer.  All of the above, and in my first post is 100% correct.  GnR has no say whatsoever in this--once it was deemed a law was broken, then there is nothing they can do.  They are "informed/consulted" about the investigation, and at that time told how the person will be prosecuted.  As idolator states--GNR can, if they decide they want to (They WILL NOT--Again, WILL NOT--what's GNR to do, sue Skwerl for his computer?), file Civil actions--which is totally seperate (a la O.J. Simpson, innocent in criminal court, guilty in Civil court--where he had pay personal damages to the Brown family).

http://idolator.com/400822/guns-n-roses … y-the-feds

I am going to buy Stephen Davis book tomorrow--Hammer of the Gods is possibly the greatest rock book ever written!  It's a huge compliment to the legacy of GN'R that he chose them as a subject.

I have always been curious if Stuart White and Gary Sinshine both are Billy Howerdel?  Or, is there confirmation they are real people, and not pseudonyms?