Dr. Pepper Democracy

After 15 plus years and $13 million spent, Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy is finally out. No really it is! Music fans have been baffled by countless release dates that have never been met and because of the way downloading has changed the music industry, the album will probably not make such a spectacular profit.

However, the album has caused a historic day in the fizzy drink world. Earlier on this year, the soda giant Dr Pepper promised that if Chinese Democracy was released in 2008, they would offer every American a free drink. Now that day of reckoning is upon us and the drinks company has lived up to its promise. "We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."

So how does it work? Well actually the offer is already over because to obtain one's free can of Dr Pepper you had to get a coupon, which was only available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper's website starting at 12.01am Sunday 23rd November. That was it - 24 hours. If you were late, no Pepper for you. If you did get a coupon they will be honoured until 28 February 2009.

Back when the offer was first made, former guitarist slash and Buckethead would not be allowed their free sodas but now, Buckethead has been made eligible as his work features on the album. To be honest, I don't think they'll care too much.

Dr Pepper will be flowing like November Rain!