"Jumper" star Rachel Bilson recently told "In Style" Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers was her favorite beauty product

Band’s attorney criticizes beverage maker for missed free samples

By Matthew B. Zeidman

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 11/27/08 – When Guns N’ Roses’ new album hit stores on Sunday, Dr. Pepper was unable to deliver on its promise to provide free samples to all its Web site’s visitors, and the legendary rock band is not happy.

According to Reuters, the group’s attorney sent a scathing letter to the beverage company, suggesting it make up for its technical shortcomings and extend its offer past the cutoff of 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 24. The offer originally expired the day before, the same day “Chinese Democracy” hit stores, but the overwhelmed Web site turned away music fans and free-sample hounds seeking the voucher, prompting the temporary extension.

Guns N’ Roses, known for their many hits in the 1980s and 1990s, such as “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “November Rain,” were not sponsors of the promotion, which promised a free sample to any Web surfer who wanted one if the album was released by Dec. 31.

In addition to criticizing Dr. Pepper’s alleged mismanagement of the promotion, attorney Alan Gutman demanded fiscal compensation for the band for the unauthorized use its image in what he called an “unmitigated disaster.”

“Chinese Democracy” was Guns N’ Roses’ first original release since 1991’s companion albums “Use Your Illusion I” and “Use Your Illusion II.” Frontman Axl Rose, 46, is the last original band member remaining and has been with the group he helped found since its formation in March 1985.