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50 Cent has launched a legal battle with a jeweler who claims he copied his favorite chain necklace and is using his likeness to sell the pieces.
The TMZ rapper – real name Curtis James Jackson – has filed a lawsuit against Maksud Agadjani and his TraxNYC corporation, alleging copyright infringement and violating his right of publicity.
Maqsood posted the content on his social media, which also featured a 50 Cent necklace and pictures of the rapper. But the Power executive producer says the clips mislead consumers into believing he's endorsing the knockoffs.
50 wants Maqsood to pay him at least $5 million in damages, and a judge to block the jeweler from using the rapper's likeness.
'Mr. Jackson takes seriously the unauthorized use of his name and likeness for commercial purposes,' a rep for the rapper told TMZ.
50 Cent is suing a jeweler, accusing him of using his likeness to sell knock-offs of his legendary chain necklaces; Image June 2024
The suit also alleges that Maqsood 'intentionally and knowingly created' replicas of the necklace custom made for the rapper. Wrap up.
'The jewelry defendants willfully and knowingly made replicas of the original necklace designed specifically for Jackson; used Jackson's name, image, and other intellectual property rights to mislead consumers into believing that defendants' reproductions were affiliated with, sponsored, or endorsed by Jackson; and continues to use Jackson's name, likeness and other intellectual property rights for commercial gain,'' the lawsuit, obtained by The Wrap, says.
The lawsuit added that Jackson did not purchase her necklace from TraxNYC and Maksud and did not allow them to 'capitalize on her goodwill and reputation to promote their products and services.'
The suit alleges that between August and October 2024, Maqsood displayed the fake necklace several times.
In a post shared on Sunday, Maksud promoted his replica of a 50 Cent figure with a cross necklace.
'50 Cent wanted this new cross and I did it. Why not?… 50, thanks for the inspiration. You are a true gentleman. I hope you don't mind… I don't know where he got the 50 but I know where I got mine. From him,' said Maqsood, showing a photograph of the composer.
50 warned Maqsood in the comments section of the video on Tuesday: 'This is a bad idea and I promise you will regret doing it.' Maksud responded, '@50 cent yo, haven't you got better things to worry about.'
But Trax appeared to respond to the lawsuit on his Instagram Stories on Thursday, advising the rapper to 'sorry' and 'forget'.
He said 'Yo 50'. 'The cross is for forgiveness, redemption, forgiveness of sins. Forgive and forget. Let go brother.'
Maksoot has included the rapper in several posts showing off his new items, most recently sharing a video of his new cross necklace that resembles the rapper's jewelry.
Akadjani appeared to respond to his Instagram Stories on Thursday, urging the rapper to 'forgive' and 'forget'.
50 also acknowledged the lawsuit on Thursday and posted a screenshot of an article about it.
'Nowadays someone does this. I don't know why but I know I need it by Monday,” she captioned the post.
Maqsood is not only a jeweler, but viewers may recognize him from the 2019 film Uncut Gems.
The Adam Sandler starrer was Maqsood Youssi.
