Guns N' Roses lawyer says Dr Pepper failed on free drinks

Guns N' Roses' lawyer has criticised Dr Pepper for failing to deliver on its 'Chinese Democracy' free soda promotion in the US.

The move comes despite the drinks company's decision to extend their offer of a free soda for an extra day after huge demand crashed the company's servers on release day (November 23).

As previously reported, in March Dr Pepper announced it would give a free soft drink to everyone in the United States if Guns N' Roses released their long-awaited 'Chinese Democracy' album this year.

Now Axl Rose's lawyer Alan Gutman has written to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc's president and CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of operating an online redemption scheme that was an "unmitigated disaster which defrauded customers".

Gutman is also demanding that the company extends the period for the offer and he has called for full-page apologies in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, reports Billboard.

He added: "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. Dr Pepper was completely unprepared for the traffic to its site."

Guns N' Roses had been working on their long awaited album since 1994.

In addition to extending the free drinks offer, during which consumers were invited to apply for a coupon online, the company also increased its server capacity and added a toll-free number - 1-888-DRPEPPER.

However, despite the additional server space, the site still remained largely inaccessible.


Original article here

Drinks company Dr Pepper has responded to a letter from Guns N' Roses lawyer last week that demanded an apology for the free drinks promotion intended to celebrate the release of ‘Chinese Democracy’.

“We are disappointed that Gn’R’s lawyers are turning a fun giveaway into a legal dispute,” the group said in a statement according to Rolling Stone. “We simply commented on the delayed release of ‘Chinese Democracy’ and openly encouraged the band to release it before the end of the year. Axl even expressed support for our efforts earlier in the year.”

Dr Pepper promised a free drink to everyone in America if the album came out in 2008, but the overwhelming response in the 24-hours after the offer launched crashed the company’s website and many fans were unable to download the coupon to avail of the free soda.

However, the company then extended the offer online as well as adding a toll-free phone number.

“This was one of the largest responses we have ever received for a giveaway” the statement continued “and we’re happy we were able to satisfy the thirst of so many Dr Pepper fans. We wish the best with their album.”

Last week, Axl Rose's lawyer Alan Gutman wrote to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc's president and CEO Larry Young, accusing the company of operating an online redemption scheme that was an "unmitigated disaster which defrauded customers".

Gutman demanded that the company extended the period for the offer and called for full-page apologies in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.


Original article here