Downloaders pay up to Wilco
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Showing that even freeloaders have a heart, fans of the rock band Wilco have contributed more than $3,500 to the band’s favorite charity as a token payment for downloading Wilco’s new record off the Internet.
The new record, “A Ghost Is Born,” won’t be released until June 22. But when copies leaked out last month, the band responded in a novel way. Instead of filing lawsuits or issuing cease-and-desist letters -- a common practice in the piracy-crazed music industry -- Wilco cooperated in setting up a website where downloaders could cleanse their consciences.
The charity site, justafan.org, went up Friday and has brought in almost $4,000 for Doctors Without Borders.
Meanwhile, Wilco singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy has entered rehab for addiction to painkillers, a spokeswoman for the band said.
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