Don Johnson sues over ‘Nash Bridges’

LOS ANGELES, Feb 18 — Don Johnson has sued a trio of entertainment companies, claiming he is owed millions in profits from the TV series "Nash Bridges".

Filed on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the suit claims Johnson owns half of the copyright to "Nash Bridges" and has not been paid his share of a US$150 million (RM540 million) syndication deal.

Johnson also claims he has been blocked from developing the six seasons worth of episodes into online videos.

He is suing the now-defunct Rysher Entertainment, 2929 Entertainment — which was founded by Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner — and Qualia Capital. Qualia Capital bought Rysher's catalogue from 2929 in 2006, the lawsuit states. — AP

Blogger arrested over leak of Guns N’ Roses songs

Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N’ Roses. — AP pic

LOS ANGELES, Aug 28 — A blogger suspected of streaming songs from the unreleased Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" on his website was arrested yesterday and appeared in court, where his bail was set at US$10,000 (RM33,000).

FBI agents arrested 27-year-old Kevin Cogill yesterday morning on suspicion of violating federal copyright laws. Cogill appeared in court in the afternoon wearing a T-shirt; his girlfriend sat court and afterward said, "Rally the troops," but declined further comment.

Federal authorities say Cogill posted nine unreleased Guns N' Roses songs on his website in June. The songs were later removed.

In later posts, Cogill wrote that the FBI had questioned him and asked his readers if any of them knew a good attorney. He was represented yesterday by a federal public defender.

According to an arrest affidavit, Cogill admitted to agents that he posted the songs on his website. Prosecutors said the leak could result in a "significant" financial loss for the band.

Cogill will not face any special Internet restrictions, but was ordered to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Sept 17.

"Guns N' Roses representatives have been made aware of the arrest and are leaving the matter to the authorities," said Larry Solters, the band's spokesman.

"Chinese Democracy" is a much anticipated — and repeatedly delayed — new album by Guns N' Roses that is more than 10 years in the making. At least one of the album's songs could be heard legally: The band wrote on its website in July that its track, "Shackler's Revenge" will be featured on the video game Rock Band 2, slated for release in September. — AP