Chicken fight frying

A chicken fight has erupted between two area eateries, each claiming a right to serve a popular local dish.

Doc's Burgers Inc. filed suit Tuesday alleging that Texas Ice House Restaurant and Bar Inc. is engaging in trademark infringement by using the phrase, "Okarche-Style Fried Chicken" on its menu and in advertisements.

Doc's, which has a trademark on "Okarche Fried Chicken," says it has expended substantial effort, money and time in developing an "esteemed reputation and good will." "We have made attempts to try to get the Ice House to quit using the name," said Doc's attorney Patricia Parrish. Parrish said Texas Ice House's refusal to stop using the phrase is what led Doc's to file suit. Parrish said Doc's main concern is to prevent Texas Ice House from continuing to use the term. The petition says the similar phrases are "likely to cause confusion and mistakes as to the source, nature and quality of "Okarche Fried Chicken." In addition, the Doc's contends that "Texas Ice House's willful acts constitute unfair competition with Doc's and is a violation of the Oklahoma Deceptive Trade Practices Act." According to Parrish, Doc's is in the process of relocating but has not decided on a new place of business. Texas Ice House management was not available for comment.

Copyright 1996
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.