Taco Bell Fights Back Against 50 Cent

Taco Bell is fighting back after 50 Cent filed a lawsuit against the fast-food chain back in June for trademark infringement, reported TMZ. In notes to Manhattan Federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald, Taco Bell claimed 50's music "falls in the subgenre of hip hop music known as 'gangsta rap,' a style associated with urban street gangs and characterized by violent, tough-talking braggadocio." They further stated that 50 only filed the lawsuit to "burnish his gangsta rap persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide good faith offer," reported NME.

The rapper filed the lawsuit in June after Taco Bell challenged the rapper to change his name from 50 Cent to 79, 89, or 99 Cent to help promote a Taco Bell value meal. Taco Bell promised to donate $10,000 to charity if he agreed. However, a spokesperson for 50 Cent called the deal "a sleazy and ill-conceived publicity stunt by Taco Bell's president, Greg Creed, whose disingenuous offer was leaked to the press before it was even presented to 50 Cent's agent." In spite of Taco Bell's recent attacks, the rapper's lawyer has said to TMZ, "Mr. Cent intends to vigorously pursue this case."