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Guns N' Roses Respond to Plagiarism Lawsuit

The Guns N' Roses camp has issued a formal response to a new lawsuit claiming the band plagiarized parts of two songs by German musician Ulrich Schnauss on a 'Chinese Democracy' track. Reacting on Tuesday, GNR manager Irving Azoff said, "The band vigorously contests these claims and intends to respond accordingly."

"The band believed when the record came out and still believes that there are no unauthorized samples on the track," Azoff explained. "The snippets of 'ambient noise' in question were provided by a member of the album's production team who has assured us that these few seconds of sound were obtained legitimately."

"Artists these days can't read the minds of those they collaborate with and therefore are unfortunately vulnerable to claims like this one," Azoff added. "While the band resents the implication that they would ever use another artist's work improperly and are assessing possible counterclaims, they are confident this situation will be satisfactorily resolved."

Legal representatives of the band and its production team plan to respond formally in the near future. As previously reported, Schnauss records for label Independiente and the US branch of Domino Recording Company. Those labels are seeking $1 million for the unauthorized use of samples of the Schnauss tracks 'Wherever You Are' and 'A Strangely Isolated Place' on the Axl Rose and Tommy Stinson-penned track 'Riad N' the Bedouins.'

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Chris

"world greatest musician"?! that's some funny stuff right there.

September 28 2010 at 11:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Matt

As Guns n' Roses were a big part of my youth, I thought I'd check out Chinese Democracy to see what all the fuss was about. My musical tastes have broadened a lot since then and I was shocked when track 9, 'Riad N' the Bedouins' came on - I thought that my player had suddenly decided to shuffle to Ulrich Schnauss! I went online to find out if they had collaborated (which seemed highly unlikely) and found my way to this page. It is unbelievable that the producer of this track can claim not to have used Ulrich Schnauss' songs for the intro. I recognised them immediately. It's a mix of TWO tracks from TWO different albums so there's no way it was done unintentionally. As to whether or not Axl Rose new about it, I couldn't say, but the producer of the track must have.

January 14 2010 at 6:04 AM 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 1:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
KeithHopkin

A concise version of the tracks can be found here: http://www.thatsongsoundslike.com/2009/10/07/guns-n-roses-vs-ulrich-schnauss

October 08 2009 at 10:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Luke Ashley

Gn'R wouldn't do this, Axl is the world's greatest musician and he can write great songs, he would not need to steal other's music. This is bullshit, and don't you think Axl has had enough trouble in his career? Give him a break!

October 07 2009 at 4:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply