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Guns N' Roses Sued for Plagiarism

It looks like Axl Rose and Coldplay's Chris Martin have something in common. Guns N' Roses are being sued for song theft by two independent record labels that represent German electronic artist Ulrich Schnauss. UK label Independiente and the US arm of Domino Recording Company -- the companies that hold the licensing rights to Schnauss' songs -- are seeking $1 million, according to details of the suit released Monday.

Schnauss' labels allege that portions of his tracks 'Wherever You Are' and 'A Strangely Isolated Place' were sampled without permission and used on the track 'Riad N' the Bedouins,' one of the songs on the 2008 release 'Chinese Democracy,' the Axl Rose-fronted outfit's first album of new original material in 17 years. Aside from Rose, the suit names guitarist Brian Carroll (aka Buckethead), bassist Tommy Stinson and guitarist Robin Finck, as well as GNR's record company, Interscope-Geffen.

While there has yet to be a response from Axl's camp on the suit, the band is reportedly gearing up for a busy December, with tour dates slated for enormous venues in Asian locales like Taipei, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo. A formal confirmation of these dates is expected shortly.

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Jason

You don't fuck with Buckethead

October 22 2009 at 2:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Eric

It never ceases to amaze me the extent of jealousy that has been perpetuated toward Axl Rose from the beginning of his career. From Kurt Cobain, Metallica, Slash, and closeted fans of Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses), there is a great deal of resentment from all because Axl was an icon. I personally am sick and tired hearing from his band members and everyone else crying about the approach Axl took during the Use Your Illusion and post era. IMO, Use Your Illusion I and II were far better lyrically and instrumentally than Appetite for Destruction. All were great albums. Appetite was a classic in that it was hardcore mainstream...But as the metal hairbands were dying down, Axl knew and wanted to take a different approach in the early 90s. Use Your Illusion I and II got me through alot when I was 12 yrs old up to now. Songs like Coma, Civil War, Breakdown, Locomotive, Bad Obsession, and Pretty Tied Up were songs that had meaning and integrity. I miss the band as a whole with Matt Sorum. These guys were incredible performers, each and every one of em. But 9 times outta 10 the singer gets the most attention, especially a man who blow any rocker off the planet with his stage presents and performance! Axl, we never will see another performer like you again in my generation or for years to come. You were the best and in some ways you still are. However, I do agree its hard to see different band members than the originals, excluding Steven Adler. I wish you guys would take your resentment toward each other and use it to blow the world away, the way you guys did before. The band claims they were all miserable, but man did they put on a damn good show...As for the plagiarism, just another lawsuit Axl has to deal with..."Take it for what it is" :)

October 14 2009 at 12:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply