Why did Axl allow so many leaks from Chinese Democracy?

[Carlos Gunner]

I liked the leaks, but they took an element of surprise and wonder from Chinese Democracy.
When I finally got to see the list off Chinese Democracy songs, I already knew most of the songs.
That could be a little turn-off

[kyrie]

I wouldn't say he "allowed " them.

[Bridge]

He "allowed" illegal leaks and downloads about as much as other artists "allowed" them...

Although I will say you stand more of a chance of having songs leaked when the album is delayed for as many years as Chinese Democracy was.  Unfortunate but true.

[cineater]

So true.

Whatever happen to that guy, Squirrel or something like that?

[Gavgnr]

I’ll admit that the leaks impacted upon my enjoyment of the eventual album, but at the time there was no clear end in sight and I took the view that I could be hit by a bus the next day. Had to listen to them.

[Wooody]

I wouldn't say he "allowed " them.

I wouldn't say "so many"

[willow]

Yeah, I don't think Axl allowed anything. Matter of fact back then he seemed pretty pissed about it and frankly I would be too.

[Carlos Gunner]

I never listened to an audio or watched an interview of Axl getting upset by the leaks.

[cineater]

I never listened to an audio or watched an interview of Axl getting upset by the leaks.

There was something where Axl told Robin, he didn't think the leaks for CD hurt them.  And he gave people copies of CD music plus played the whole thing in a strip club in Vegas.  And he played those songs for people.  As I recall, we had most of the CD songs before the big leak, what the label had ready to sell.  At that time, he wasn't as protective or secretive of them.  Even played a few publicly.  But times have changed and he may feel totally different from what he did and happen 25 years ago.

[DeN]

he tested the music on different systems to see how it sounds, that's normal and common. nothing to do with giving his music away. the night club wasn't that secure after all...

he just didn't know how leaks had an impact and hurted them, because it's difficult to measure it, probably even for record companies, at least at the time.

but of course he didn't encourage any, which is understable.

and the organisation sued the leakers, which is normal to prevent more or to make an example, from a record company perspective.

[cineater]

he tested the music on different systems to see how it sounds, that's normal and common. nothing to do with giving his music away. the night club wasn't that secure after all...

he just didn't know how leaks had an impact and hurted them, because it's difficult to measure it, probably even for record companies, at least at the time.

but of course he didn't encourage any, which is understable.

and the organisation sued the leakers, which is normal to prevent more or to make an example, from a record company perspective.

Nobody knew the power of the internet and where it was going back then.  Hard to protect yourself when you don't know what can happen.  I think everybody's initial reaction was fuck!  But when the smoked cleared, it's not really that big of a deal.  Doesn't really have any impact on sales just a lot of shit from the internet directed at the band for what they are doing.

What did happen to that guy?  I don't remember any kind of lawsuit going any where or any kind of money being assigned to pay for it.