50 Cent sues New York jeweller over trademark infringement
50 Cent is one of the richest figures in the hip-hop industry, and his image in the early 2000s was nothing short iconic. With his Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ album cover showing a window fragmented by bullets and the rhymer with his top off, it wasn’t long before the emcee (who had been shot nine times) was seen at performances wearing bulletproof vests.
As such, Fifty’s image was legendary stuff in cultural terms, and various photos of him from the early ’00s remind people of an era when the likes of 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Kanye West were all battling for the number-one tracks.
That said, as his likeness and aesthetics have been an essential part of his success when a jeweller recently began selling chains similar to the types that Fifty was known for wearing, he was more than unhappy.
The Queens rhymer is undoubtedly no stranger to legal battles, and due to the jeweller’s attempt to connect himself and profit from 50 Cent’s image, the mogul has sued jeweller Maksud Agadjani and his corporation, TraxNYC.
The Curtis creator has accused the chain-maker of using his name and face to sell jewellery. He has also sued them for trademark infringement and for violating his right to publicity.
The Power producer is arguing that Agadjani’s social media posts on TikTok and Instagram are misleading his customers and making them believe that the company is connected to him. Earlier this year, TraxNYC posted a photo of 50 Cent and Drake, writing. “Yo @50 Cent, you should be a jeweller. Hit traxnyc.com or call 212 traxnyc.”
Furthermore, he has also been showcasing a chain he intends to sell, identical to one seen in many 50 Cent photos from his early career. This led many to believe that Agadjani made the original, which he didn’t.
The jeweller addressed Fifty in a video in August, stating, “We just jocked your style, I know you watch my videos, and now I’m watching your s**t and jocking your s**t just like you jocked my s**t.”
The ‘Many Men’ rapper has previously addressed Agadjani and under one of his Instagram posts wrote, “This was a bad idea, you will regret doing this I promise.” However, the jeweller persisted and is now facing a lawsuit. In a statement to TMZ, a member of 50 Cent’s team stated, “Mr. Jackson takes the unauthorized use of his name and likeness for commercial purposes seriously.”