50 Cent Ducks Bid to Send Publicity Rights Suit to Arbitration

The rapper 50 Cent convinced a California federal court to deny defendants’ bid for arbitration in a dispute over the use of his name to promote a horror movie.

Ryan Kavanaugh, who produced the film “Skill House,” failed to show the rapper signed a contract or intended to be bound by its arbitration clause, the US District Court for the Central District of California said. While acting in the movie likely implied 50 Cent’s acceptance of “material terms” of the agreement, even if unsigned, it doesn’t show he agreed to the arbitration provision, the court said.

The ruling by Judge Hernan D. Vera keeps the lawsuit in federal court as the parties dispute the use of 50 Cent’s name and image in promotional materials. The rapper says Kavanaugh never paid him for his work or to use his image to promote the movie, but Kavanaugh said 50 Cent himself marketed the movie for two years during filming.

Curtis Jackson—50 Cent’s legal name—sued Kavanaugh and Skill House LLC in April. He said the producer failed to keep proper records and modified the film’s budget to limit documented profits from which he’d be paid. He later accused Kavanaugh of reneging on a May agreement to settle the dispute.

Vera refused 50 Cent’s bid to halt release of the movie in July, finding whether a valid contract had been signed remained a critical disputed fact. Vera added that 50 Cent’s actions may suggest a mutual agreement as to material facts. But Tuesday he said those material facts include 50 Cent’s obligation to act in and help promote the movie in exchange for producer credit and a share of profits, but not necessarily agreeing to arbitrate disputes.

Kavanaugh failed to provide evidence 50 Cent signed an employment agreement and binding term sheet on Aug. 2, 2022, Vera said. The film’s counsel followed by sending 50 Cent a revised contract, asking for his signature. The parties agree he never signed that version, Vera said. The rapper’s agent also expressed concern with the employment agreement a month after Kavanaugh said it was signed, which Vera said.

Blank Rome LLP represents 50 Cent. Loeb and Loeb LLP represents Kavanaugh and Skill House.

The case is Jackson v. Kavanaugh, C.D. Cal., No. 2:25-cv-03623, 8/26/25.