TMZ reported on 10 October that 50 Cent (Curtis James Jackson III) has filed a lawsuit against Maksud Trax Agadjani, known as TraxNYC, for publicity and trademark infringement.
TraxNYC is a jeweller with more than 2.5 million Instagram followers. A recent social media post featured diamond-studded pendants and chains and references to 50 Cent.
Social media users flooded the post, suggesting that it was a mistake and that 50 Cent would take legal action in response — and they appear to have been correct.
Southern District of New York court documents, obtained by TheWrap, state that the rapper is seeking damages of $USD5 million ($AUD7.42 million).
“Jackson did not purchase his necklace from Defendants and Jackson has never authorised Defendants to capitalise on his goodwill and reputation in order to promote their goods and services,” the lawsuit reads.
“Defendants, who are in the jewellery business, willfully and knowingly created imitations of an original necklace designed exclusively for Jackson; used Jackson’s name, image and other intellectual property rights to mislead consumers into believing Defendants’ reproductions are affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Jackson; and continue to use Jackson’s name, image and other intellectual property rights for commercial gain.”
The document reportedly lists several occasions when Agadjani promoted the necklace design online between August and October.
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