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Taco Bell In Legal Battle With Rapper 50 Cent Save Email Print
Posted: 11:37 AM Nov 20, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:40 AM Nov 20, 2008
23 comments
A | A | A

NEW YORK (AP) -- Rapper 50 Cent is facing a challenge to his street cred - from Taco Bell.

Lawyers for the fast-food chain are calling his federal lawsuit, filed in Manhattan, another attempt to "burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer."

The squabble is over a fake letter sent out by Taco Bell Corp. asking 50 Cent to change his name for one day to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent to help publicize its value menu.

In return, the company offered to donate $10,000 to the charity of his choice.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has sued for trademark infringement.

Jackson's attorney, Peter Raymond, says he wonders why Taco Bell would use his client's name in an ad campaign.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by: C on Dec 9, 2008 at 12:36 AM
An endorsement from any celebrity is not going to sway my meal choices anyway...ESPECIALLY if it comes from a rapper. Truth be told, "rap" needs a "c" in front of it. This so-called "artist" is just another punk that's gotten rich by glorifying the gang lifestyle, which appeals to the brain-dead youth of our society. Rap is nothing more than bad poetry with a beat.
Posted by: Tim Location: Jacksonville, NC on Nov 29, 2008 at 07:43 PM
He probably wants to teach them a lesson by using the millions he prob get and donate that to charity, instead of the ten thousand they were offering.lol.. but it don't matter it was a fake letter so this is all pointless.
Posted by: jonny b Location: greenville on Nov 23, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Why is 50 cent suing anyone? He's already filthy rich. This just goes to show that people can have all the money in the world and still won't be satisfied.
Posted by: Matt Location: NC on Nov 23, 2008 at 12:49 AM
That's exactly what they get for even wanting to do business with this thug. Down with Taco-Bell, frito-lay and pepsi!!!!! They are all one company!!
Posted by: ~ALPHA female~ Location: O84P on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:16 PM
So...the real taco bell sent out a fake letter about 50 cent...and now 50 cent is suing? This doesn't make any sense at all. All the money they are wasting in legal fees could go to a charity that really needs it right now around the holidays. Prime example of what happens when you have more money than brains!
Posted by: Tad Location: Jamesville on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:23 PM
50 who? Are we still talking about this talentless nobody?
Posted by: ??? Location: NC on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Another stupid crybaby rapper. Why dont he get William "Beached Whale" Barber to go and do his crying for him.
Posted by: Clay Location: Pollocksville on Nov 21, 2008 at 07:48 PM
"....another attempt to "burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer." And you're perpetuating it by reporting the unworthy story.
Posted by: Blake S. Location: Greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Oh yeah, LOVE the "2 case quarters" one. Good stuff!
Posted by: Blake S. Location: Greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:22 PM
As if he doesn't have enough money already. This guy can be a joke sometimes, well too manby times. Like someone said earlier, it was a FAKE letter, why is this even happeneing?! I enjoyed whoever said the U.S. Mint should sue him for using the name "50 Cent". Now that's good! It's all for the publicity. Do us all a fovr Fidty, Fifty, 50 Cent, Curtis, or whatever you decide to call him, GET OVER IT!!!
Posted by: Elrod on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I think he should be called One Cent?
Posted by: Noneya Location: IBX on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:29 AM
50 cent's new name : "2 case quarters"
Posted by: SGB Location: Eastern NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Well, people, if it is a FAKE letter, then what is the problem? Geez!!
Posted by: Blog Refuter Location: NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I doubt if he personally needs the money from the lawsuit. I mean, he owns a lot and brings in so much income, he's set; the value of the dollar is declining, however (gold is always good though). He probably won't get any money from this lawsuit, but if he does, maybe he'll donate it to the charity of his choice. lol He probably wants to teach them a lesson, most of all.
Posted by: ~ALPHA female~ Location: O84P on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:09 PM
50 cent has such a nice body...sigh..oh what is the topic?
Posted by: Wilma Location: scubasteeve, MD on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:15 PM
After 50 free volcano tacos, he'll drop the.........deuce. He is suing because his career has swirled down the toilet and frustrated that his rap albums will be given away for free with any purchase over $3.99 at a local Taco Bell near you.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:53 PM
With our system, he'll prolly be awarded millions.
Posted by: Taco Chow Location: NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Why not just make the vaule menu .50 cent offers? Instead of asking him to change his name.
Posted by: hunh Location: what? on Nov 20, 2008 at 01:41 PM
who cares????
Posted by: Tad Location: Jamesville on Nov 20, 2008 at 01:02 PM
50 cent is not his name. It's a slang term for a half-dollar. curtis jackson is only showing that he does'nt have 50 cent worth of brains. Why does that main stream media and society as a whole give these fools any credibility at all?
Posted by: Tyler Location: Washington on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Are you for real? If it really wants to be taken seriously then the U.S. mint could sue him for using the name 50 Cent.
Posted by: Seriously? Location: Gville on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:57 AM
This is ridiculous!
Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greenville on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Give him 50 free Volcano tacos. Lock the bathroom door and he'll drop the ......lawsuit.
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