KFC Isn’t the Only 'Finger-Lickin' Good' Food, According to Lawsuit

Fried chicken isn't the only food that's "finger-lickin' good." The owner of a taqueria in Southern California has slapped KFC with a lawsuit after the fried chicken chain began using the Spanish-language slogan, "para chuparse los dedos," which translates to "to suck your fingers" or "to lick your fingers."

In the trademark infringement suit filed June 10, Felipa Piedra argues that it's the same slogan he's used to market his restaurant, El Taqueria Amigo, for at least a decade. Of course, the slogan also happens to mimic KFC's English-language slogan: "It's finger-lickin' good."

Piedra says that KFC already tried to trademark the Spanish phrase back in 2015, and was denied by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Despite the rejection, the Colonel used the slogan anyway — in a marketing campaign targeting Hispanic consumers. According to the suit, the "Para Chuparse Los Dedos" phrase was featured in digital, radio, and TV ads on stations like Telemundo, Univision, and ESPN Deportes.

According to documents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, KFC did file to trademark the phrase in April 2015, and that trademark is still listed as "live" on the USPTO's website. A spokesperson for KFC said the company is "confident that this lawsuit is meritless and that our use of the Spanish version of our world famous slogan is appropriate."

Below, the suit in full:

KFC Piedra suit