 |
|
|
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.
© 2007 - 2009 - eFluxMedia