For many of us, it's our favorite day of the week -- but did you know "Taco Tuesday" is actually a copyrighted and protected phrase?
Any business that seeks to use the words "Taco Tuesday" must seek the permission of Taco John's, a Wyoming-based chain that has owned the trademark since 1989.
However, Taco Bell is waging a legal battle over the phrase, which first surfaced in 1973.
On Tuesday, the fast-food giant filed a petition with the US Patent and Trademark office to cancel the trademark, claiming the commonly used phrase "should be freely available to all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos."
The company says it doesn't want the trademark for itself, but to "liberate it."
Taco Bell added that "nobody should have exclusive rights in a common phrase," and that the use of the phrase "potentially subjects Taco Bell and anyone else who wants to share tacos with the world to the possibility of legal action or angry letters if they say 'Taco Tuesday' without express permission from [Taco John's] — simply for pursuing happiness on a Tuesday."
Taco Bell also called the trademark "pure chaos."
"Can you imagine if we weren't allowed to say 'what's up' or 'brunch'? Chaos," the company wrote its court filing. "To deprive anyone of saying 'Taco Tuesday' -- be it Taco Bell or anyone who provides tacos to the world -- is like depriving the world of sunshine itself."
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben tells CNN that Taco Bell has a strong case, as over the years "Taco Tuesday" has become a "commonly used phrase."
Taco John's said in a statement, "Taco Bell has not reached out to us, so we have no comment on any possible trademark action. Taco John's would like to thank our worthy competitors at Taco Bell for reminding everyone that 'Taco Tuesday' is best celebrated at Taco John's – the trademark owner of Taco Tuesday."
To show their support for Taco Bell's liberation efforts, fans and taco lovers alike are invited to sign the Freeing Taco Tuesday petition.
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