50 Cent sues fast food chain

Last Modified: 24 Jul 2008
Source: ITN

50 Cent has filed a lawsuit against fast food chain Taco Bell for using him in an ad campaign without his consent.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, claims in the lawsuit that Taco Bell diluted "the value of his good name" and employed campaign to make consumers think he had endorsed the Mexican-style restaurant chain.

Court papers said: "Without seeking or obtaining Jackson's authorisation, defendant Taco Bell made him the star and focus of its nation-wide advertising campaign by using his name, persona and trademark to promote Taco Bell's business and products."

The lawsuit also accuses the chain of circulating a letter addressed to 50 Cent, that encourages him to change his name to "79 Cent," "89 Cent" or "99 Cent".

The letter was designed to promote the company's "79-89-99 Cent Why Pay More" campaign, while avoiding the fee the rapper might have charged to use his name, according to the lawsuit.

Taco Bell Corp spokesman Rob Poetsch said: "We made a good faith, 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, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice."

The lawsuit said the Taco Bell letter was eventually sent to the rapper, but only after it had been circulated to reporters.

"As Taco Bell intended, many customers believed that 50 Cent had agreed to endorse Taco Bell's products. Indeed, postings on numerous Internet 'blogs' castigated 50 Cent for 'selling out' by his apparent endorsement of Taco Bell," it said.

50 Cent has built a business empire since his 2003 debut, including a record label, a clothing and footwear line, ringtones and video games. He has also starred in a movie based on his life, Get Rich or Die Tryin'.

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