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In 2008, Taco Bell launched an advert marketing campaign titled, "Why Pay More?" to advertise its worth menu, with objects priced at $.79, $.89 and $.99. As a joke, the model urged that fifty Cent (aka Curtis Jackson) — who was arguably on the height of his fame on the time — change his identify to 79, 89 or 99 Cent for the promotion. The rapper was not amused.
Jackson sued Taco Bell for $4 million for utilizing his identify and persona with out permission. In accordance with the go well with, Taco Bell's marketing campaign led folks to imagine that fifty Cent had endorsed the model, leading to a backlash towards the rapper for "promoting out."
Taco Bell spokesperson Rob Poetsch defended the marketing campaign on the time, stating, "We made religion, charitable supply to 50 Cent to alter his identify for sooner or later by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we might have been very happy to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his alternative."
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In 2009, the 2 events settled the lawsuit, although the phrases weren't disclosed. Each events agreed to cowl their very own authorized charges and shunned discussing the main points, with Jackson's lawyer confirming that each side have been glad with the decision.
The 50 Cent/Taco Bell beef just isn't the one time big-name celebrities have sued a significant model for falsely indicating their endorsement.
In 2011, rapper Eminem sued carmaker Audi for utilizing a track just like his hit "Lose Your self" in a industrial for the Audi A6 Avant with out his consent. The lawsuit was settled out of court docket.
In 2014, actress Katherine Heigl sued the drugstore chain Duane Reade for $6 million. Heigl filed the lawsuit after the corporate tweeted a paparazzi photograph of her carrying Duane Reade purchasing baggage, implying an endorsement with out her permission. The case was settled out of court docket.
In 2022, actor Clint Eastwood was awarded $2 million after successful a go well with towards a CBD retailer that used his likeness to advertise its merchandise.
