WHERE MUSIC LISTENS TO YOU

Guns N' Roses Demand Apology From Dr. Pepper

Posted about 1 year ago

Guns N' Roses are threatening Dr. Pepper with legal action over what the band calls "a complete fiasco" of a publicity stunt. Dr. Pepper promised every person in America a free can of soda if Guns N' Roses released Chinese Democracy this year; on November 23rd, the day Democracywas released, fans were told they could get a coupon for a free can at its website. According Axl Rose's lawyer Alan S. Gutman, things went terribly wrong: Yesterday he sent a letter to Dr. Pepper CEO Larry Young saying that the soda company's website crashed and that "the redemption scheme your company clumsily implemented for this offer was an unmitigated disaster which defrauded consumers and, in the eyes of vocal fans, 'ruined' the day of Chinese Democracy's release". The band is seeking a public apology via ads in newspapers, plus more time for people to claim their free soda and monetary damages. In the words of the letter: "Now it's time to clean up the mess."

The letter continues, "As we all now know, Dr. Pepper created an expansive and highly-publicized advertising campaign based solely on the exploitation of my cleints' legendary reputation. In and of itself this campaign brazenly violated our clients' rights in numerous respects. Unfortunately, Dr. Pepper has now magnified the damage this campaign has caused through its appalling failure to make good on a promise it made to the American public."

Other highlights from the letter: "Our clients are outrated at your treatment of their fans and the American public in general. After it became clear that Chinese Democracy would be released in 2008, Dr. Pepper executive Tony Jacobs proudly proclaimed that Dr. Pepper would make good on its promise to give a free soda to everyone in America. It turned out that Dr. Pepper did not define 'everyone in America' the same way as 'everyone in America' defined 'everyone in America.'" It concludes, "Had you wished to engage in a commercial tie-in with our clients, you should have negotiated a legitimate arrangement instead of hijacking their rights without payment. Rest assured, this misappropriation will not be free."

Other highlights from the letter: "Our clients are outrated at your treatment of their fans and the American public in general. After it became clear that Chinese Democracy would be released in 2008, Dr. Pepper executive Tony Jacobs proudly proclaimed that Dr. Pepper would make good on its promise to give a free soda to everyone in America. It turned out that Dr. Pepper did not define 'everyone in America' the same way as 'everyone in America' defined 'everyone in America.'" It concludes, "Had you wished to engage in a commercial tie-in with our clients, you should have negotiated a legitimate arrangement instead of hijacking their rights without payment. Rest assured, this misappropriation will not be free."

Comments (6)

  1. AvengingRocker says

    I demand an apology from Guns N Roses,  I just hade to go buy Chinese Democracy for my nephew for Christmas.

    Permalink posted 11/26/2008
  2. dermahrk says

    So Axl wants to get paid. Why am I not surprised?

    Permalink posted 11/26/2008
  3. david hyman says

    mog is giving the site away for free in honor of this important album finally releasing.  please enjoy.

    Permalink posted 11/26/2008
  4. A-Money says

    Is that in equity?

    Permalink posted 11/26/2008
  5. Oppositeoffaith says

    ...and as much as Dr Pepper did this to themselves...one more reason not to do business with Axl Rose...is anyone still mad at Slash, McKagen and Sorum?

    Permalink posted 12/01/2008
  6. fairportfan says

    Hurry, hurry, hurry!

    See the world's smallest violin playing My Heart Bleeds for Axl Rose.

    And why should Dr Pepper (note - there is officially no period after "Dr") pay for ridiculing someone who's done a much better job of it himself for years?

    Permalink posted 12/01/2008

Comment on this Post

Login using email and password below.

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account?
Join MOG. It's Free!

© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved