Rapper 50 Cent will cost you more than a taco.
The rapper, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, yesterday settled the lawsuit he filed against Yum! Brands’ Taco Bell, claiming the fast-food chain used his name to promote its tacos and burritos without his permission.
The terms of the deal were confidential, but he was asking for $4 million in damages.
Jackson’s suit, which was filed in federal court in Manhattan last year, argued that Taco Bell used Jackson’s name and trademark without his authorization to promote its low-cost menu items.
As part of a national campaign, Taco Bell cheekily asked that the rapper change his name to “79 Cent,” “89 Cent” or “99 Cent” to promote its menu items that cost less than a dollar.
Looking for free publicity, Taco Bell sent a joke letter addressed to Jackson to news outlets around the country, but didn’t send it to him at first, the suit said.
Taco Bell didn’t get around to clueing Jackson in until after the story had already been picked up by the press, leading some consumers to believe that Jackson was “selling out” as a paid endorser.
According to the suit, Taco Bell stole Jackson’s endorsement and enjoyed all the benefits of his “mega-star” publicity without having to pay him a multi-million dollar fee.
Both sides agreed to keep the terms of the settlement confidential and to pay their own legal fees, so Jackson could have settled for cash or free chalupas.
“As is often the case in these situations, the parties have agreed not to discuss anything about the settlement except to say both sides are satisfied,” said Peter Raymond, 50 Cent’s lawyer.
Robert Lehrburger, a lawyer for Taco Bell, referred calls to his client. “Both parties have settled the dispute to their mutual satisfaction,” a company spokesperson said. holly.sanders@nypost.com