Rapper 50 Cent Takes Taco Bell to Court Over Ad Campaign

By Charlie Brett
14:42, July 24th 2008
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Rapper 50 Cent Takes Taco Bell to Court Over Ad Campaign

Taco Bell is in trouble. The fast food chain upset rapper 50 Cent because it used his name in an ad campaign, asking him to change his name into 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent. While some of us might think it is funny, the rapper thought otherwise and he is suing Taco Bell.

According to Reuters, Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent said in the lawsuit, which was filed in Manhattan federal court, that fast-food giant Taco Bell was “diluting the value of his good name” by making customers think he had something to do with the ad campaign.

“Without seeking or obtaining Jackson's authorization, defendant Taco Bell made him the star and focus of its nationwide advertising campaign by using his name, persona and trademark to promote Taco Bell's business and products,” said the court papers.

So what does 50 Cent want? The rapper’s lawyer, Peter D. Raymond, said his client is seeking about $4 million in damages from Taco Bell. Apparently the situation is pretty serious as the rapper’s fans are beginning to write online messages saying he was “selling out,” making reference to the ads.

The Mexican style fast-food giant responded to 50 Cent’s lawsuit through spokesperson Rob Poetsch’s statement, explaining that the company “made a good charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89, or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell,” adding that Taco Bell would have donated $10,000 in exchange to the charity of his choice.

This is not the rapper’s first lawsuit regarding the unauthorized use of his name and image. Last year, 50 Cent filed a $1 million lawsuit against an Internet ad company, accusing it of using his image without permission in a game called “Shoot the Rapper,” which invited players to shoot him. The fans who managed to shoot the rapper had the chance to win prizes like $5,000 of 5 ringtones.

 

 

 

 



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