Dr. Pepper

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Speaking of Chinese Democracy, Dr. Pepper decided to make it a gimmick. If the album came out in 2008, the soft drink company would give a free 20-ounce soda to everyone in America. The album came out in November of that year, but the company's website crashed when fans went to redeem the offer. Axl's lawyers said that Dr. Pepper "ruined" the album's release day for many fans, and demanded payment to the band and full-page apologies in the New York Times and other newspapers. Instead, the soda-maker extended the giveaway for 18 hours and set up a hotline for GNR fans to get their drinks.