50 Cent is suing US fast food chain Taco Bell for using his name in a “guerrilla” advertising campaign.
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The In Da Club singer, real name Curtis Jackson, is asking for more than £1 million in damages from the company – who asked him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent to promote their food.
The suit reads: “Taco Bell traded on the name of the world’s biggest hip-hop star to draw attention to its new, hip-hop-based advertising campaign, and thereby generated massive publicity for its business.”
Taco Bell President Greg Creed wrote to the singer earlier this year, promising to donate $10,000 to his favourite charity if he agreed to change his professional tag.
He wrote: “We know that you adopted the name 50 Cent years ago as a metaphor for change. We at Taco Bell are also huge advocates for change. We encourage you to Think Outside the Bun and hope you accept our offer.”
50 is upset his fans are accusing him of “selling out” by agreeing to promote the brand’s value menu, not realising the adverts were unauthorised.
