Source: Reuters

Recently, the renowned restaurant chain specializing in fried chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is pursuing a lawsuit against rival company Church’s Texas Chicken, for allegedly violating its trademark rights by using the phrase “Original Recipe” in its advertising.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Texas, where KFC claims that this phrase has been an emblem of its identity since 1972, used to highlight its famous recipe for chicken with a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices.

The network even sent a letter to Church’s, expressing concern about using these words in TV and digital campaigns, suggesting that it could cause confusion and devalue its brand identity. However, Church’s has not responded to this communication, prompting KFC to seek a legal remedy, including monetary relief and an injunction preventing Church’s from continuing to use the disputed phrase.

Furthermore, a KFC spokesperson also commented that the company is “committed to protecting its intellectual property” and preserving the authenticity of its brand.

This conflict highlights the relevance of intellectual property and the unique value that trademarks can offer in a competitive market, particularly in the fast-food industry, where the uniqueness of a recipe can be a deciding factor.