Kevin Cogill, the American blogger who was arrested for leaking nine songs purported to be from the new Guns N' Roses album, is allowing people to contribute to his defence fund.

The 27-year-old was bailed last week after being arrested on suspicion of violating federal copyright laws.

The FBI began launched an investigation in June after Cogill posted the songs on his website, Antiquiet.

Talking about his arrest, Cogill said he was “trying to take full responsibility for my predicament” but admitted that the legal costs were already mounting.

“I consider the burden of legal fees ultimately mine to bear; I have independently raised the funds required to retain my attorney,” he wrote on his website," he said.

“However, it has definitely been by far the biggest expense I have ever faced in my entire life, and my resources are very limited while formidable costs shall continue to pile up.

“It’s beyond daunting, being a single independent citizen facing a full-force prosecution by the most powerful government in the world.”

Although he wouldn't discuss any details about the case, Cogill revealed that some people had expressed their desire to contribute to his defence fund.

“We’ll be keeping track of every single contributor, and we’re exploring ways we can show our appreciation and thanks,” he wrote.

The leak included six tracks that had appeared before in unfinished form and three songs - 'Rhiad and the Bedouins', 'If the World' and an unnamed track – that were all apparently new productions.

Production on 'Chinese Democracy', which was last scheduled for release in March 2007, originally began in 1994 and has cost the band's frontman Axl Rose a reported $13million.

Earlier this year, drinks company Dr Pepper promised each American citizen a free drink if the band released the album before the end of 2008.

(by Jason Gregory)