LeBron James' 'Taco Tuesday' Trademark Protested by Mexican Restaurant
By Gary Trock on September 10, 2019 at 12:55 PM EDT
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LeBron James has some has a muy grande problema with one of his new ventures, because a small business owner believes the NBA star is about to "cripple" his business.
According to documents obtained by The Blast, a company named Taco Tuesday, Inc filed a letter of protest against James after he tried to trademark "Taco Tuesday."
Taco Tuesday, Inc is located in Wood Dale, Illinois and has been serving up delicious Mexican food since April 2016.
Taco Tuesday, Inc
The letter, entered into the USPTO file on September 9, claims the restaurant "specializes in taco sales," and has spent a significant amount of money operating their business, which includes advertising the Taco Tuesday name.
The restaurant explains that they have been featured on the "Chicago's Best" TV show, and regularly use social media to market their business.
Taco Tuesday, Inc
They are worried that if LeBron is able to officially register "Taco Tuesday," they will no longer be able to use the slogan in connection with their own business.
The documents bluntly state that, "Protestor's company would be crippled if precluded from using its own business name in Internet marketing channels."
LeBron has become synonymous with Taco Tuesday, as he regularly promotes his family meals surrounding the cultural delicacy ... and has even printed Taco Tuesday shirts baring his face.
However, an attorney for Taco Tuesday, Inc, tries to downplay LeBron's obsession with tacos, while taking a shot at the NBA star in legalese:
"Presumably the owner of the Applicant company enjoys eating tacos. Tens of millions of Americans enjoy eating tacos. The quality of being a person who enjoys eating tacos (and posting to social media about one's experience in eating tacos deemed delicious) does not give rise to a cognizable claim to trademark ownership."
Taco Tuesday, Inc
The restaurant wants to make sure LeBron is only able to enjoy tacos, but not exercise any ownership of the name.
LeBron's trademark application, which was filed August 15, is still under review with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
