Dr. Pepper had offered to give everyone in America a free bottle of soda if the long-awaited GNR project actually came out in 2008. So, when Rose and crew released “Chinese Democracy” this past Sunday, Dr. Pepper told everyone to come to its Web site and get a coupon.

The problem — the Dr. Pepper site wasn’t prepared for the traffic. Its servers buckled under the pressure, leaving many people unable to get through. Despite an extended deadline and the addition of a toll-free number to call for a coupon, Rose says the company “defrauded” customers, leaving scores empty-handed.

A letter sent by Rose’s attorney and obtained by E! Online demands a new extension of the promotion, along with full-page apology ads printed in the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

The letter goes on to say the campaign was an “exploitation” of Guns N’ Roses’ “legendary reputation and their eagerly awaited album,” claiming that “mocking undertones” in the effort combined with the “shoddy execution of [the] disingenuous giveaway offer” caused a “raw and damaging commercial exploitation of [Guns N' Roses] rights.”

It then requests “appropriate payment … for the unauthorized use and abuse of [Guns N' Roses'] publicity and intellectual property rights.”

Yikes. Get in the ring, indeed.

Dr. Pepper issued the following response in a statement to E! News:

“For us, this was a fun giveaway that has always been about the fans, and we’ve taken great steps to fulfill it, including:

• extending the window for the giveaway from 24 to 42 hours
• Adding a toll-free line to handle consumer requests for the coupons
• Setting up an interactive voice recorder to accept coupon requests.

This was one of the largest responses we have ever received for a giveaway, and we’re happy we were able to satisfy the thirst of so many Dr Pepper fans.”

Axl Rose Threatens Dr. Pepper Over “Shoddy” Web Promotion is a post from: The Inquisitr

Dr. Pepper appears to be overwhelmed by the response to its offer of free Dr. Pepper in honor of Guns N’ Roses long-awaited release of “Chinese Democracy.” The Dr. Pepper Web site, www.drpepper.com, is returning a number of errors today as its server seems to be being bombarded with more traffic than it can handle. Those who do get through past the errors are often finding themselves stuck on the Flash-heavy site’s “Loading” screen with no progress.

In case you hadn’t heard, Dr. Pepper said it’d give anyone visiting the site Sunday a 20-ounce soda following its statement earlier this year that it’d hand out free Dr. Pepper if Guns N’ Roses’ “Chinese Democracy” actually did come out in 2008. (The album — which is officially available for the first time today — had been in the works for 14 years and had seen more than a few delays.)

Take a note from Axl, though, and have some patience: The free Dr. Pepper coupon giveaway will remain active until 12:01 a.m. tonight. We’re assuming that’s Eastern time, although the company has never explicitly stated.

Dr. Pepper has also now set up a toll-free number for those unable to connect online. You can call 1-800-696-5891 to get your coupon.

Welcome to the jungle, baby. The free soda jungle, that is.

Why Can’t I Get My Free Dr. Pepper For Chinese Democracy? is a post from: The Inquisitr

Mark your calendars: Sunday’s the day to cash in on Dr. Pepper’s long-standing challenge to Axl Rose.

The soft drink maker had said back in March that it’d give a free can of Dr. Pepper to “everyone in America” if Rose’s Chinese Democracy album actually came out in 2008. The album — currently available for free streaming at MySpace Music — officially comes out Sunday.

So that means Sunday, you can grab your free can and celebrate. Dr. Pepper says it’ll post coupons for free 20-ounce sodas on its Web site for 24 hours starting at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. The coupons will be good until the end of next February.

“We never thought this day would come,” Dr. Pepper execs said in a statement. “But now that it’s here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper’s on us.”

Carbonated refreshment aside, though, does Chinese Democracy live up to its 14-year hype? The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times both have interesting reviews that sum the effort quite well. Slash, however, is thus far staying silent.

Get Free Dr. Pepper Online (Courtesy of Axl Rose) is a post from: The Inquisitr

Kevin Cogill had been facing a possible year behind bars as part of a plea deal surrounding the leaked GNR tracks. Cogill was originally arrested on a felony charge. He’s expected to appear in court in early December to finalize the terms.

As for Chinese Democracy, it’s now just over a week away from its 14-years-in-the-making release. Unless, of course, Axl changes his mind again and pulls the album back.

The following ad has been airing, though, touting the long-awaited disc:

Pre-sales are also underway, so let’s keep our fingers crossed this will finally be the time. I still wouldn’t bank on any subsequent live concerts to actually happen, though.

Suspected Chinese Democracy Leaker Escapes Jail Sentence is a post from: The Inquisitr

That crime, in case you missed it, was uploading nine tracks from Chinese Democracy — you know, that album that’s been in the works for nearly a decade and a half. Cogill is set to plead guilty next month to one federal count of copyright infringement, Wired was told. The charge, which was originally filed as a felony, would now only be considered a misdemeanor. That means the maximum jail time would be one year, compared to the previous five.

Five years for uploading leaked GNR tracks? I like my Axl as much as the next guy, but damn. Welcome to the jungle, indeed.

For what it’s worth, Chinese Democracy is now slated to be released on November 23. While there have been more cancelled release dates for the disc than there’s been Botox on Axl’s face, a pre-sale is actually underway, and this one appears like it could finally be the real deal. The following commercial has been airing over the past week or so and promises the release as a certainty.

Will this be the one? Will Cogill go to jail? Will Slash and Axl ever reunite? Stay tuned to the neverending GNR soap opera to find answers to these burning questions and so much more!

Man, it’s just good to have Axl back. Even with the cornrows.

Chinese Democracy and GNR’s Online Music Battle is a post from: The Inquisitr