Really, it was just a matter of time before the release of the new Guns N Roses album spurred some kind of lawsuit. It just wouldn't be an Axl Rose project unless someone was getting sued. Who are they after? DR. PEPPER!
As Altsounds first reported, Dr. Pepper offered a free can of it's signature soda should the band finally release Chinese Democracy before the end of 2008. Surely they figured there was little chance of that happening since the album has been expected 'any day now' for about 15 years. Well, it DID come out and now Dr. Pepper has to make good on their promise.
Initially, the soda company gave fans 24 hours from the time of release to register for a coupon. There was so much traffic, the site crashed and the registration time was extended for another 24 hours. Unfortunately the site was down for most of it. While I haven't actually heard anyone complain about their inability to cash in on a free can of Dr. Pepper (and I, personally, had no trouble at all registering), the Guns N Roses lawyers are FURIOUS.
Alan Gutman has issued a letter to Dr. Pepper CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of defrauding customers and demanding public apologies. The letter also reads, "The entire point of your campaign has been to use public interest in Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses as a lure to increase consumer awareness of Dr Pepper." He further states that "mocking undertones" in the online promotional content represent a "raw and damaging commercial exploitation of our clients' rights," adding that the association is "even more damaging in light of your shoddy execution of your disingenuous giveaway offer."
While I totally agree that Dr. Pepper should have to hold up their end of the bargain, the endless bitching and butt hurt coming from Guns N Roses over the years is getting reeeally old.
As Altsounds first reported, Dr. Pepper offered a free can of it's signature soda should the band finally release Chinese Democracy before the end of 2008. Surely they figured there was little chance of that happening since the album has been expected 'any day now' for about 15 years. Well, it DID come out and now Dr. Pepper has to make good on their promise.
Initially, the soda company gave fans 24 hours from the time of release to register for a coupon. There was so much traffic, the site crashed and the registration time was extended for another 24 hours. Unfortunately the site was down for most of it. While I haven't actually heard anyone complain about their inability to cash in on a free can of Dr. Pepper (and I, personally, had no trouble at all registering), the Guns N Roses lawyers are FURIOUS.
Alan Gutman has issued a letter to Dr. Pepper CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of defrauding customers and demanding public apologies. The letter also reads, "The entire point of your campaign has been to use public interest in Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses as a lure to increase consumer awareness of Dr Pepper." He further states that "mocking undertones" in the online promotional content represent a "raw and damaging commercial exploitation of our clients' rights," adding that the association is "even more damaging in light of your shoddy execution of your disingenuous giveaway offer."
While I totally agree that Dr. Pepper should have to hold up their end of the bargain, the endless bitching and butt hurt coming from Guns N Roses over the years is getting reeeally old.
