Metal Group Finds Fault in BK Ads

Prepared Foods August 23, 2005, enewsletter

The heavy metal band Slipknot claims fast food giant Burger King stole its image for its chicken fries ad campaign.

Slipknot's lawyers sent Burger King a letter threatening legal action over its fictional chicken band, Coq Roq, accusing Burger King of creating a "look-alike, sound-alike 'band' in order to influence the Slipknot generation to purchase Chicken Fries," thesmokinggun.com reported.

Slipknot's attorneys noted Coq Roq sports masks virtually identical to those made famous by the metal band.

In response, Burger King filed suit in Miami federal court seeking a declaratory judgment absolving it from any copyright or trademark claims made by Slipknot.

In seeking the judgment, Burger King lawyers noted many rock bands "wear masks and/or make-up to accomplish a mask-like effect, including but not limited to the bands KISS, Gwar, Insane Clown Posse, Mushroomhead, Mudvayne, Marilyn Manson, Los Straitjackets, and the Spits."

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