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A P2P.netstory has the publication claiming that Apple and Pepsi have been slammed for 'defaming' the teenagers represented in their advertisements promoting the new music giveaway.

The ads feature music users who were sued by the RIAA for allegedly illegal downloading. The P2P article argues that "She's [Annie Leith] one of 16 naive US teenagers 'persuaded' to appear in the spot."

P2P quotes Josh Wattles, an attorney formerly a counsel of Paramount Pictures, who argues that the teens' use of the phrase "I was prosecuted by the RIAA" defames them for the rest of their life. They were not, Wattles says, prosecuted for criminal conduct. These were civil cases, and it is more accurate to state that they were sued, Wattles opines.

In the promotion, Apple and Pepsi will give away 100 million songs at the iTMS and the ads all feature people who were in dispute with the RIAA.

Analysis: What a beat-up. There's no 'criticism' of Apple/Pepsi for these ads. This is simply one guy who clearly has no sense of humor. None of the mainstream media criticized these ads. And we very much doubt that "they'll get to live with this characterization for the rest of their lives". Hm, really? Do you remember all the actors from the 1993 Coke ads? No? Thought not.