50 Cent has agreed to settle his lawsuit with Rémy Martin over his Branson Cognac bottle design, which the French Cognac company claimed to be a “blatant” copy of their own.
According to legal documents still sealed to the public, famous alcohol brand Rémy Martin has settled with 50 Cent’s company over the rapper’s Cognac bottle design. The two parties reportedly reached a settlement on June 1st but asked the court to keep the terms of that agreement under seal. Digital Music News was notified of the settlement agreement shortly thereafter.
The lawsuit began in August 2021 when Rémy Martin sued 50 Cent’s Sire Spirits, claiming that the rapper’s Branson Cognac brand copied the company’s distinctive jewel-shaped glass bottle design. The Cognac giant claimed the design was synonymous with its brand, and the Branson bottle could confuse consumers.
In February 2023, reports surfaced that the two parties were close to settling the lawsuit — despite 50 Cent having accused the French company of being jealous of his brand’s success in a since-deleted 2022 Instagram post.
“They are afraid of me already,” 50 Cent’s post read. “Branson Cognac is the new wave. REMY is #2 behind Henny and worried about Branson,” he continued. “I’m just getting started.”
Attorneys for Sire claimed the design was “simply too basic” to be trademarked and that “no brand or company has the right to exclude others from making or selling curved bottles for Cognac or other alcohol.”
“Nonetheless,” said Sire’s attorney Reena Jain, “Remy Martin is on a mission to eliminate Sire Spirits from the Cognac market.”
50 Cent’s company filed a countersuit that Rémy Martin tried to have thrown out in 2022, but the courts denied the attempt, believing the rapper’s claims were sufficient.
“They know I didn’t take their bottle design,” said 50 at the time. “The Big Brands try to put smaller brands in court when they start gaining momentum to slow them down.”
Now, representation for Rémy Martin has told TMZ that they’re relieved the trademark dispute has been resolved:
“Rémy Martin appreciates and applauds (50 Cent’s) entry into the Cognac market, and we share a common vision for the future of this exceptional spirit. We are gratified that this matter could be resolved amicably.”