AVRIL LAVIGNE - LAVIGNE'S MANAGERS HELP FUND MUSIC FAN'S DOWNLOADING BATTLE

Officials at Canadian pop rocker AVRIL LAVIGNE's management company are helping a fan fight America's Recording Industry over an illegal song-sharing charge.

Nettwerk Music Group bosses are to fund a Texas fan DAVID GRUEBEL's legal campaign against corporate chiefs, who are suing him for damages after he illegally downloaded Lavigne's SK8ER BOI hit, among other songs.

NMG chief executive officer TERRY McBRIDE says, "What does this litigation do? It destroys people's lives. It's not a tool that should be used except in the most drastic circumstances."