British Vodka Company, 02, Calls Out Dr. Dre!!!!!!!

by **J The Kidd** Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:14 pm

British vodka company 02 has apparently taken issue with Dr. Dre's
release of a sparkling vodka thought to be similar to their own brand.
In August, the legendary producer announced he would unveil both a
cognac and sparkling vodka as a marketing tie-in with his long-awaited
album, Detox. Drinks Americas, who is partnering with Dre and
Aftermath/Interscope, described the spirit as a "unique new to market
sparkling vodka" in an associated press release.

Phillip Maitland, President of International English Distillers Ltd.,
02's parent company, has now issued a similar press release, calling
Dr. Dre's version a poor imitation, among other things.

"I am very complimented that Dr. Dre has recognized how innovative and
special our sparkling vodka is and is trying to copy it," Maitland
said, in a written statement. "My concern is that it isn't produced by
our patented method and may well turn out to be a very poor imitation."

Maitland's product was launched in the U.S. in January. Drinks Americas
announced the creation of Aftermath Cognac and the as-yet unnamed
sparkling vodka in August.

"I hope that consumers will not be swayed by the celebrity endorsement
of a copycat product by Dr. Dre," Maitland added. "There are a lot of
mixed messages going on, Dre's unreleased album is even called Detox to
ad a bitterly ironic twist."

Dr. Dre as well as Aftermath artists 50 Cent (who is signed to
Aftermath via Eminem's Shady Records label) and Bishop Lamont have both
stated Detox will be released sometime during the fourth quarter.