Thinking Outside the Bun Leads to Legal Action
THE STORY OF 50 CENT VS. TACO BELL 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.” In the end, both sides settled, keeping the terms of the settlement confidential and paying their own legal fees. So, it’s possible that 50 Cent was paid after all, but we’ll never know the exact terms of their legal agreement, except “both sides are satisfied,” according to Raymond. Since then, more companies have been careful about using celebrity names in their marketing without permission. It pays to think inside the bun, after all.
In 2008, rapper 50 Cent filed an unlikely lawsuit against the fast-food chain Taco Bell. Was it an endorsement deal gone wrong? Quite the opposite. According to the rapper, the company had implied an endorsement deal in the media when there was none. Taco Bell, known for their quirky and humorous ads, had released a print ad formatted as a faux “letter” to 50 Cent, requesting that 50 Cent change his name to 79, 89, or 99 Cent as a part of their latest promotion. The letter reached the national press and even television … except for 50 Cent’s actual mailbox. In fact, 50 Cent had no idea Taco Bell used his name. By releasing the letter, 50 Cent became the face of Taco Bell’s whole campaign, too. The letter was part of a larger hip hop- themed campaign, and customers could
go to the Taco Bell website and participate in a “Rap Name Creator” to discover their rap name. They also had a “Why Pay Mo’ Rhyme Generator” that played hip hop music and a montage of “hip hop-themed scenes,” according to the rapper’s lawyer, Peter D. Raymond. As soon as 50 Cent found out about the letter on the news, he wasn’t happy. On July 23, 2008, 50 Cent — whose real name is Curtis Jackson — filed a federal lawsuit saying they featured the rapper in an ad campaign without his permission and profited directly from his celebrity status without paying him a multimillion-dollar fee. Raymond said his client sought $4 million in damages. In response, Taco Bell Corp. spokesman Rob Poetsch issued a statement saying: “We
Have Kids in High School? THEY MIGHT LOVE MOCK TRIAL
One of the highlights of my high school experience was participating in the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition. If you have a child in high school who enjoys debate or wants to be a lawyer, I’d definitely recommend introducing them to their school’s Mock Trial Club this year! A “mock trial” is exactly what it sounds like — a low-stakes, pretend trial that teaches kids how to prepare and try a
direct examination or cross examination, and put together a closing argument.
great way for a child interested in law to immerse themselves in the life of a trial lawyer. Like I mentioned, Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition participants even get to spend time with real-life judges and attorneys during the competition process. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful I had that experience! When I was in high school, Mock Trial Club was an extracurricular activity I participated in on Sundays. However, each public and private school handles the program a bit differently. I’d suggest contacting your child’s school about it or looking for the club on their website. It’s possible the club meets on a weeknight or during lunch or is even offered as an elective! Any of those options will look great on your child’s college application and teach them valuable skills. I hope you’ll consider signing them up.
During the competition itself, the kids “try” a case in a real court room in front of professional judges and attorneys. According to South Forsyth High School, they’re scored based on “their ability to make a logical, cohesive, and persuasive presentation rather than on the legal merits of the case.” If your child’s team wins their regional competition, they’ll advance to the state competition and
case. Each student gets a role: Some play attorneys, others play witnesses. Each meeting is a great opportunity for them to learn the legal basics, like how to craft an opening statement, conduct a
potentially the National High School Mock Trial Championship. Mock Trial Club certainly won’t be every teenager’s cup of tea, but it’s a
You can always reach Kevin directly at 404.566.8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cellphone is 404.409.3160.)
2 • KEVINPATRICK.LAW I 404.566.5880
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