MerGirl Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Björk and Madonna Deal With Leaks of Album Tracks When nearly 30 new Madonna songs, many of them unfinished demos, surfaced online last month, the singer and her team reacted both emotionally and with a savvy business acumen tailored to the digital era. In public statements on Instagram, Madonna called the leaks “a form of terrorism” and likened the theft to “artistic rape,” urging fans not to listen to songs that were “stolen long ago and not ready to be presented to the world.” But behind the scenes, Madonna’s team was scrambling not only to find the source of the leak, an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a man in Israel on Wednesday, but also to set the stage for her new album, “Rebel Heart,” which had not yet been announced. It wasn’t quite the surprise album strategy used most famously by Beyoncé, but something more makeshift: Within days, six songs from the album had been polished and officially released for sale on iTunes and Amazon, with the rest of the album promised on March 10. This week, Björk mirrored that aggressive digital maneuvering when her new album, “Vulnicura,” which had been announced only four days earlier, leaked online in full more than two months before its scheduled release. After the appearance of “Vulnicura” on illegal downloading sites over the weekend, the singer’s record label rushed the entire album to digital retailers, and by Tuesday night, it was available for purchase worldwide. In the online music age, advance leaks are all but inevitable — Björk’s and Madonna’s happened to come exceptionally early — but the same distribution methods that make downloading stolen songs a breeze can allow artists to take control of the chaos and try to make lemonade from a sour situation. “In the past, labels tried to shut down leaks by hiring so-called ‘web sheriffs’ who stopped blogs from sharing the links,” said Staffan Ulmert, the founder of HasItLeaked.com, which tracks early album releases. “But it’s really difficult to shut down a leak once it starts.” Recently, the strategy used by artists and their labels has shifted: “Madonna is the first big artist I’ve seen try to make money off of it by going to iTunes,” he said. Previously, Mr. Ulmert said, labels would offer an online stream after an album leaked, either through a media outlet or a site like SoundCloud. “But I don’t think they are generating a lot of money,” Mr. Ulmert said. “I think when it comes to big artists, we’ll see more of this in the future.” The six Madonna songs have sold a combined 146,000 units so far, according to Nielsen Music. In addition to making some of the leaked songs available for purchase, Madonna pursued the matter through private investigators and, eventually, law enforcement. In December, Guy Oseary, the singer’s manager, approached Wizman Yaar Investigations, a Tel Aviv-based firm that specializes in intellectual property theft and commercial leaks. Alon Levy, Wizman Yaar’s head of high-tech investigations, said the firm sent investigators to New York to check Madonna’s personal computer, and using the data they collected, tracked the theft back to Israel. After a few weeks of “undercover activity” and “surveillance,” Mr. Levy said, the firm had zeroed in on a suspect and turned the information over to the police. Continue reading the main storyContinue reading the main story Continue reading the main story On Wednesday, Micky Rosenfeld, the foreign press spokesman for the Israeli police, confirmed on Twitter that a 39-year-old man “suspected of hacking known artists’ computers, stealing and distributing songs” had been arrested, although Madonna was not named. An Israeli police unit said in a statement that the suspect “broke into the personal computers of several international artists over the past few months and stole promotional final-cut singles which have yet to be released and traded them online for a fee.” Law enforcement officials did not identify the suspect. The law enforcement unit added that it had “collaborated closely with the F.B.I., with suspicion of even more break-ins to computers owned by unknown international artists, stealing and selling their works.” While online album leaks have plagued artists since the dawn of Napster in 1999, Mr. Levy, the investigator, said targeted thefts, which range in scale from a single song to the North Korean hack of Sony or the stolen batch of celebrities’ nude photos, are increasingly prevalent. “There is a full world in the dark net that specializes in trading data,” he said. “If you have a buyer for data, you will find someone to bring it to you.” In a statement on Wednesday, Madonna thanked those “who helped lead to the arrest of this hacker.” She added, “Like any citizen, I have the right to privacy. This invasion into my life — creatively, professionally and personally — remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience, as it must be for all artists who are victims of this type of crime.” Björk’s label, One Little Indian, has not approached any law enforcement agencies about the leak because it was focused on releasing the music, said Derek Birkett, the label’s founder. “We had lots of discussions about alternative ways to get it out,” including preorders and streams, he said. While putting out the physical version of the album in March remains a priority, One Little Indian ultimately decided to release the full album digitally first: “Björk called me up and said, ‘Let’s go for it,’ ” Mr. Birkett said. Björk, meanwhile, avoided directly mentioning the leak at all. “ 'Vulnicura’ will be rolling out worldwide over the next 24 hours!!” she wrote on Facebook on Tuesday, announcing the change of plans. “I am so grateful you are still interested in my work!!” she added. “I appreciate every little bit!!!” source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Gold Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Don't f**** with the Queeeeennn!! *autotuned voice* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 The inference is that he actually hacked into her computer then somehow inflitrated the Madonna collector community to sell the goodies. He's a dumb, fall-guy chump for hire, right down to the desperate XFactor audition. If they think HE is where every drum beat, cymbal hit, backing vocal, cough and sneeze etc of EVERY Madonna studio recording (all out there for sale over the YEARS) is coming from, then.... ...and so the insider dealing continues. The sad thing is that Madge probably IS persuaded to believe it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CzarnaWisnia Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 The difference is Madonna's leaked songs were demos while Bjork's were the finished songs (so she could release the album). Also, by releasing the whole album early, Bjork lost important deals her team had prepared with various companies for the launch of the album, which hurt her financially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerGirl Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 The inference is that he actually hacked into her computer then somehow inflitrated the Madonna collector community to sell the goodies. He's a dumb, fall-guy chump for hire, right down to the desperate XFactor audition. If they think HE is where every drum beat, cymbal hit, backing vocal, cough and sneeze etc of EVERY Madonna studio recording (all out there for sale over the YEARS) is coming from, then.... ...and so the insider dealing continues. The sad thing is that Madge probably IS persuaded to believe it. Who do you think set him up, or hired him to take the blame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Dunno. funny how it's Israel though... But really, the smokescreen points the finger of blame away from the inside, as intended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerGirl Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Yeah, I was surprised that it was someone from Israel. I agree with you. It's highly unlikely that he is the original source. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 An Israeli police unit said in a statement that the suspect “broke into the personal computers of several international artists over the past few months and stole promotional final-cut singles which have yet to be released and traded them online for a fee.” Law enforcement officials did not identify the suspect. This isn't matching up. No final cut singles leaked. 40+ demos leaked, the majority of them being very rough demos. Tsk Tsk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moka Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Who do you think set him up, or hired him to take the blame? Oh, it's the conspiracy thread here? If the FBI and Isreal police arrested someone who hacked computer, I think we can trust them. The guy arrested for GMAYL was not the person who leaked this song but he leaked other songs... Nobody said that this guy in Israel has been hacking M for years, it just said that he could be the one who hacked the Rebel Heart demos and sold them to collectors. There's no reason to not believe this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Oh, it's the conspiracy thread here? If the FBI and Isreal police arrested someone who hacked computer, I think we can trust them. The guy arrested for GMAYL was not the person who leaked this song but he leaked other songs... Nobody said that this guy in Israel has been hacking M for years, it just said that he could be the one who hacked the Rebel Heart demos and sold them to collectors. There's no reason to not believe this... You're totally right. It's not confirmed. But it's pretty obvious that it wasn't him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerGirl Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Oh, it's the conspiracy thread here? If the FBI and Isreal police arrested someone who hacked computer, I think we can trust them. The guy arrested for GMAYL was not the person who leaked this song but he leaked other songs... Nobody said that this guy in Israel has been hacking M for years, it just said that he could be the one who hacked the Rebel Heart demos and sold them to collectors. There's no reason to not believe this... I'm not really into conspiracies. I just don't believe he is the right guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I think we can trust them... Ok then TRUST NO BITCH I bet you believe everything you read in the papers, and said on the news, and everything a politician says, or a doctor, or a priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moka Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Ok then TRUST NO BITCH I bet you believe everything you read in the papers, and said on the news, and everything a politician says, or a doctor, or a priest. Not at all, but when the police arrests someone claiming he's a hacker, I don't say that someone hired this man to take the blame. I don't think Madonna likes to throw innocent people in prison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Not at all, but when the police arrests someone claiming he's a hacker, I don't say that someone hired this man to take the blame. I don't think Madonna likes to throw innocent people in prison Jorge was in prison. They let him go cause he wasn't even the one that leaked GMAYL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moka Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Jorge was in prison. They let him go cause he wasn't even the one that leaked GMAYL. Yes but after that, he said in an interview with no shame that he leaked other unreleased songs but not this one. It's as if a thief is arrested for a car theft and he says to the cops "I didn't steal that car, I just stole ten other cars last week" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonski43 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 lol i love that "the dark web" You do know what 'the dark web' is, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotlight Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 no, what is it? ^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRVC Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 no, what is it? ^^Good boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonski43 Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 no, what is it? ^^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Internet You can hide the location of your internet address through virtual private networks so people can't see what you're doing. Basically, criminals all do this. There are literally sites where you can go and buy weapons, child porn, drugs etc kind of like ebay! People use bitcoin to pay for things and it's all pretty much untrackable. The silk road was a recent example of a site where you could buy all kinds of crazy stuff although it did get shut down. Stolen credit card details, passwords etc are also the type of stuff people buy on here. Russia, Eastern Europe, the middle east etc are all places where this kind of online activity is massive. Much of the fake Facebook and Twitter traffic is traced back to these places. So, it would be no surprise if all these celebrity leaks are tied up with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soma Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The difference is Madonna's leaked songs were demos while Bjork's were the finished songs (so she could release the album). Also, by releasing the whole album early, Bjork lost important deals her team had prepared with various companies for the launch of the album, which hurt her financially. This makes me so sad and angry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karbatal Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 No final track has surfaced this time. When Madonna wants, she has all the privacy in the world. When she wants, suddenly everything is stolen. Since 2000. We don't even know the superdelux tracklist, yet they want us to believe that some guy hacked her computer and stole all the goodies? meh I know the popular opinion here is that she has some kind of insider that steals those things to get some money, but it doesn't add up, because even if that person get lots of money, surely that very same person would have much more money working with Madonna. (Unless she pays so little, as her brother Christopher said in that book ) Everything is fishy, fishy, fishy. And I hope that the FBI doesnt' investigate so much or the whole thing will explode very near Madonna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJMichaelAngelo Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 (edited) Was he the one that leaked GAYL? Same guy. From what I've heard Madonna was just the tip of the iceburg....Bjork too (as the article mentioned) plus scads of unreleased/upcoming songs, acapellas, stems, remixes from other major artists (mostly Sony/BMG related). This guy was a brazen pirate in every sense of the word, and greed was indeed his downfall. Edited February 13, 2015 by DJMichaelAngelo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuckeye Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 what! i always believed that everything on the internet could be traced. I did not even know that existed. so evils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amzer801 Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Can someone explain me why the full album leaked a week after that Israeli guy was arrested? I thought Guy was looking for the leak within M's inner circle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karbatal Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Meh They are always arresting people and doing lots of noise with this happens. I don't believe anything anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amzer801 Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Israeli suspected of hacking Madonna lands in further trouble Aspiring Israeli singer known as 'The Grinch' was charged last month with hacking computers belonging to Madonna and making some of her unreleased material available online. By Haaretz | Feb. 17, 2015 | 5:50 PM An Israeli computer hacker who is suspected of stealing unreleased songs by American singer Madonna has been arrested for additional hacking offences, the Israel Police announced on Monday. Adi Lederman was charged last month with hacking computers belonging to Madonna and making some of her unreleased material available online. Police did not specify the nature of the new suspicions against Lederman, who is facing charges of computer trespassing, fraud, and intellectual property theft. They were apparently committed after he was released from custody and may relate to Madonna or other musicians whose computers Lederman is believed to have hacked. Lederman, also known as “The Grinch,” is an aspiring singer who auditioned for the Israeli TV show “A Star is Born’ (a local version of “American Idol”) in 2012. He was arrested last month following an investigation by the FBI, the Israel Police, and a private investigator hired by Madonna’s management. The investigation followed the discovery that 13 songs from "Rebel Heart," a Madonna album that was still in the works, were available online in unfinished "demo" form. Tamir Afori, Madonna's attorney in Israel, said the stolen material included "songs that haven't yet been released, sketches of songs, photos and other personal material." Afori said the theft, which has been going on for a long time, had caused the singer millions of dollars in professional and personal damage. Last month, the 56-year-old singer posted a photo of a broken iPod on Instagram with the message, "This broken iPod is a symbol of my broken heart! I have been violated as a human and an artist!" http://www.haaretz.com/life/music-theater/1.642915 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msig Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Madonna 'Rebel Heart' Hacker Indicted on Four Counts Ari Lederman faces five years in prison for computer trespassing, prohibited secret monitoring, copyright infringement and obstructing investigation By Daniel Kreps | February 27, 2015 The Israeli man accused of hacking into Madonna and her associates' computers and leaking songs destined for the singer's March 6th-bound Rebel Heart has been indicted on four counts. Adi Lederman, who three years ago tried out for Israel's then-top-rated TV singing competition Kochav Nolad (A Star Is Born), was charged with computer trespassing, prohibited secret monitoring, copyright infringement and obstructing investigation, The Hollywood Reporter writes. According to court documents, Lederman was able to steal the demo versions of Madonna's Rebel Heart tracks by infiltrating the private cloud accounts of Madonna associates Sara Zambreno, engineer Angie Teo and musical director Kevin Antunes as well as an e-mail account belonging to Madonna's manager Guy Oseary. Lederman had allegedly compromised Zambreno's cloud going back to 2012, with court documents accusing the hacker of also stealing MDMA's "Give Me All Your Luvin'." That song leaked out after Lederman sold the file to an unspecified person. Lederman's hack wasn't an especially profitable endeavor, as court documents show that he was only compensated from "tens of dollars to a thousand dollars" for what he grabbed off the cloud accounts, which he then sold to two accomplices. Lederman's obstruction of the investigation charge comes after he advised an accomplice to erase all of their correspondence after Lederman became suspicious that authorities were on his trail. If found guilty of all counts, Lederman faces up to five years in prison. "I am profoundly grateful to the FBI, the Israeli Police investigators and anyone else who helped lead to the arrest of this hacker," Madonna said in a Facebook message at the time of Lederman's arrest. "I deeply appreciate my fans who have provided us with pertinent information and continue to do so regarding leaks of my music. Like any citizen, I have the right to privacy. This invasion into my life - creatively, professionally, and personally remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience, as it must be for all artists who are victims of this type of crime." http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/madonna-rebel-heart-hacker-indicted-on-four-counts-20150227 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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