50 Cent Sues Taco Bell for an Ad Campaign

Rapper and hip-hop mogul 50 Cent is suing that fast-food chain, Taco Bell, on Wednesday, for an unauthorized ad campaign that involves his name and likeness.

In the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, says that the campaign was fooling customers into thinking that he's endorsing the brand. "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," court papers said.

The rapper is suing the fast-food chain for $4 million in damages.

According to E!, this case started with Taco Bell asking Jackson to be the star of their "79-89-99 Cent Why Pay More Value Menu." CNN Money says that Taco Bell drafted a fake letter, in which they asked the rapper to change his name to 79, 89, or 99 Cent for a day while he raps his orders at a drive-thru.

"We know that you adopted the name 50 Cent years ago as a metaphor for change," the letter read. "We at Taco Bell are also huge advocates for change. We encourage you to 'Think Outside the Bun' and hope you accept our offer." In response, Jackson was mad and his people called the attempt a "sleazy and ill-conceived publicity stunt."

The complaint said that Taco Bell released the letter to the press without ever sending it to Jackson, adding that it reads "like a poorly written voice-over for one of Taco Bell's television commercials."

"Simply put, Taco Bell knew that it would likely have had to pay Jackson a multi-million dollar fee to get his endorsement, even if he had agreed to do it-which is in doubt," the lawsuit said. "Rather than face rejection or pay fair value, Taco Bell chose to steal his endorsement and to enjoy all the publicity of being associated with a mega-star while bearing none of the costs."

In addition to having no authorization for the hip-hop based campaign, Taco Bell is also alleged for not paying the usual multi-million dollar fees for 50's endorsements. As part of the campaign, Taco Bell put up a "Rap Name Generator" on its Web site, where customers could see what their rapping stage names would be, and a "Why Pay Mo' Rhyme Generator," which played hip-hop music and displayed a montage of hip-hop-themed scenes, according to the complaint.

As a result, 50 claims that this campaign has damaged his reputation as a performer "by associating him with the pedestrian rap lyrics and hip-hop-themed games" on Taco Bell's Web site. The lawsuit says, "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."

Yum! Brands Inc., who owns Taco Bell along with other drive-thru establishments, like KFC, has not commented on the case. A Taco Bell spokesman says that he has not yet seen the documents.

Since his debut album in 2003, 50 Cent has expanded his name with an apparel label and ringtones and video games. He's also starred in a movie based on his own life, Get Rich or Die Tryin'.