50 Cent Sues Taco Bell Over "99 Cent" Ad Hoax

NEW YORK (AP) _ 50 Cent has sued Taco Bell, claiming the fast-food restaurant chain is using his name without permission in advertising that asks him to call himself 99 Cent.

The rapper says in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that the Mexican-themed chain features him in a print ad asking him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent. His real name is Curtis Jackson.

The rapper's court papers say the ad is part of Taco Bell's "Why Pay More?" campaign, which promotes items for under a dollar, including Cinnamon Twists for 79 cents, Crunchy Tacos for 89 cents and Bean Burritos for 99 cents. The papers say the Irvine, Calif.-based company sent a bogus letter requesting the name change to the news media but not to the rapper.

The rapper's lawyer, Peter D. Raymond, said his client didn't learn about the letter or that he was featured in the ad campaign until he saw a news report about it. Raymond said his client is seeking $4 million in damages.

Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: "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."

This isn't the first time 50 Cent has sued over his name or image.

In July 2007, he filed a $1 million lawsuit accusing an Internet ad company of using his image without permission in a game called "Shoot the Rapper," in which the player pretends to shoot him.

The game shows 50 Cent walking in an ad across the top of a Web page while the viewer is encouraged to shoot him by aiming and clicking with the mouse, the rapper's court papers said; a successful shot results in a misty cloud of red, and then the viewer is directed to another Web page, where the ad firm's clients sell goods and services.

The rapper is a well-known victim of gun violence: He was shot outside his grandmother's Queens home in 2000 and rapped in one of his biggest hits, "In da Club," about being hit with a few shells.

The rapper has been nominated for 13 Grammys, including for the song "In da Club" and the album "Get Rich or Die Tryin'." In 2005, he starred with Terrence Howard in a semi-autobiographical movie based on that album. He also starred in the 2006 film "Home of the Brave" as a soldier returning home from Iraq.

Comments

[GeekyGirl]

2 quarters is lame. Is he going to start suing everyone who makes a parody of him. Thats what happens when you become popular off crappy music. Go play outside, half dollar.

[Bettysdad]

I believe this is a PR stunt. It's been done many times before.

No corporation could possibly be this stupid.

The statement from TB spokesman is so flippant, this isn't real.

And yes, he can sue for the use of the name, because there is not other reason to use it other than to piggyback on his fame.

[Mort]

Does "4 bits" have a registered trademark on his name? Maybe he could try to sue the govt and get a royalty on every half dollar they have in circulation.
Putz!

[LivingStardust]

100 ways to get full and a 99 cent menu ain't one of em.

Oh, that was Jay-Z . . . sorry.

[tomcat27834]

reminds me of an old joke...abo­ut 50 cents

what did the pollock do with his first 50 cent piece ?

He married her.


Botta bing, botta boom.

[oldtree]

Is he upset because he still can't get anything with 50 cents? It might be that he has no talent, not the lack of the money. If inflation has raised your value to 99 cents, why complain when you didn't have to do anything? Trade it for a taco and maybe kids will stop listening to crap and go back to real music?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Well. Seeing as how they're already being sued, TB should start pernouncing the price as "Nitey Ni Cent."

Seriously, isn't there an exemption for parody?

[SNS]

If someones name were "Hamburger", they would have a tough time convincing a jury that say, McDonald's, was using their name to sell products. But Taco Bell is blatantly using 50 Cent's notoriety, right down to his actual identity, to sell their product, and they're doing so w/o his permission. 50 Cent is a modern day pop music star. This is a slam dunk for him. Taco Bell should know better. Looks to me like some young turk ad execs jumped the gun. I'm glad they'll be brow beat and sent to their corner. Love or hate 50 Cent and/or his music, but this is ETHICAL capitalism at work.

[metropolitan]

my name is taco chalupa and i don't have a problem with anyone using my name in commercials.

[atpal]

Maybe Taco Bell should change their prices to 50 cents.

[ROBOT8]

MY NAME IS HAMBURGER QUIT USING MY NAME

[DocWylie]

careful buddy, there's a city in Germany discussing options with their attorneys about your rip off of their designation , as you're not from there.

[dicktracyson]

I gotta say this is very ligitimate lawsuit. He shouldnt allow anybody to use his name and likeness to make money without his consent.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

A link to the actual AD would be nice.

[ConcernedCtzn]

I'm an avid fan of hip hop and 50 is ok, but who cares?