TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

50 Cent Suing Taco Bell, Says It Devalued His Name

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 25, 2008

50 Cent has sued Taco Bell, claiming the fast-food restaurant chain is using his name without permission in advertising that asks him to call himself 99 Cent.

The rapper says in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday that the Mexican-themed chain features him in a print ad asking him to change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent. His real name is Curtis Jackson.

The rapper's court papers say the ad is part of Taco Bell's "Why Pay More?" campaign, which promotes items for less than a dollar, including Cinnamon Twists for 79 cents, Crunchy Tacos for 89 cents and Bean Burritos for 99 cents. The papers say the Irvine, Calif.-based company sent a bogus letter requesting the name change to the news media but not to the rapper.

The rapper's lawyer, Peter D. Raymond, said his client didn't learn about the letter or that he was featured in the ad campaign until he saw a news report about it. Raymond said his client is seeking $4 million in damages.

Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: "We made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice."

Crow Dispels Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours'

Sheryl Crow says she's not breaking out the gypsy skirts quite yet: She's not making a record with or joining Fleetwood Mac - not anytime soon, at least.

"No, that was those 'Rumours' - to quote the album," she joked Wednesday, referring to the group's 1977 hit album.

"I'm a huge fan and have a great relationship with Stevie Nicks, and actually with all of them. I just absolutely adore them," Crow said during a question-and-answer session with college students in Nashville.

"I think their next album may be while I'm on the road. Hopefully in the future we'll have some kind of collaboration, but not at this time," she said.

Anderson, Lee Living Under Same Roof

File this one under: "Are you kidding?" Pamela Anderson is shacking up with Tommy Lee again - but not like that.

The 41-year-old former "Baywatch" star is living with her ex-husband and their two sons - Dylan, 10; Brandon, 12 - in Lee's Calabasas enclave while her new Malibu mansion is under construction. Anderson says the two aren't an item again, but she isn't ruling out the possibility. Yes, you read that right: Reconciling with him apparently is still an option for her.

"The dream would be that all of us could really be together, but we're better friends," Anderson said Wednesday. "We're great friends. We just live together, and we're ex-husband and wife. It's kinda silly. I don't know where that's gonna go."

Today's Birthdays

Model-actress Iman is 53. Rocker Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) is 50. Actress Illeana Douglas is 43. Actor Matt LeBlanc is 41.

Source: The Associated Press

CORRECTIONS

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com.

CORRECTION: Joseph Lenahan was sentenced to slightly more than 10 years in prison in a fatal drunken driving crash. His sentence was incorrect in Wednesday's Metro section.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT