Complaint Review:
Taco Bell Corporation
In March of 07,i Dametus Redd wrote Taco Bell with my Concept Receipt on changing the corn shells into flavor tacos, taco bell responsed back saying there company do not take idea from consumer. and that they can not change thee orgin of the shell do to confusion, also they do not take unsolicited suggestion. in there letter there legal advisor wrote that they have discard my concept from there file well one year later they launch the volcano taco and i notice that the shell been change into a flavor i contact taco bell corporation marketing department spoke with some one by name that person read back there response letter saying i thought we responsed to you in o7,that taco bell do not take unsolicited suggestion i again notice that the volcano taco shell was discontiue after that phone conversation which is recorded.here it is o9,and there is another flavor taco call the black jack i again contact taco bell corporation there attorney call me back with the same but with more detail i also have that conversation recorded.i could not get my concept copyrighted or patent i trusted taco bell corportion phone service on how to send in your proposal i did not ask for a disclosure letter because i did not know about a disclosure i just trusted there company with my idea and they are making millions of dollar off my concept and the only thing that iam receiving is heartship anxiety attacks pain of suffering by being ripoff.i do have my original copy of my letter also phone conversation with more details that will support my case if there is one and a half of city witnesses that knows that is my concept.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Tim
Grand Haven,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Is this for real?
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, November 06, 2009
I'm kind of wondering whether this is a real complaint or a joke (and a fairly funny one at that, what with the Taco Bell induced panic attacks and all).
"[I] could not get my concept copyrighted or patent[ed]"
No, you could not. And the reasons why are the reasons why your complaint has no legs.
First, copyrights don't apply to "concepts." They are for books, music, movies, etc.
Patents ARE applicable to concepts, but there are certain requirements. Primarly, the idea must be "creative." I'll grant that your idea arguably meets this requirement.
The idea must also relate to something new, or a significant modification to an existing item. You would run into trouble here. Your idea is just far too general. Had you devised a particular flavor you could have a case, but the raw idea of flavored taco shells is just too broad to enjoy legal protection. On top of that, it could be said that taco shells are already flavored: they taste like taco shells.
Further, granting one person rights to the idea of flavored taco shells would create a monopoly over a concept that, as was stated above, is probably thought of by many people every day.
Not to mention that the shells in question were colored, not flavored.
This is not to say that your idea isn't a good one. It's just too broad. And I highly doubt that the people within Taco Bell who heard of your idea have ever even communicated with the people who devised the shells in question.
Go back to the drawing board. Come up with something more specific and unique. Let this issue go. And if this kind of thing causes you the hardships and stress that you speak of, I would suggest a different hobby.
Colsalarm
Columbus,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Yup, youre the only one.....
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, November 06, 2009
Yes sir, after I got over the headache from reading your letter, I must say that out of millions that eat at Taco Bell, you are the only one out there that came up with this idea....no one else would ever think of this and submit it either.
Ashley
springfield,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Have you eaten one?
#6Consumer Comment
Mon, October 26, 2009
I believe these are different ideas. The new tacos from taco bell don't have flavored shells. They are just a different color. The volcano taco has a red shell, but its still just a normal taco shell. Same with the blackjack taco, the flavor in the new tacos comes from a special sauce that is on the taco.
Even if they did take your suggestion and use it, is your idea copyrighted or trademarked by you?
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
You made a big mistake....
#6Consumer Comment
Mon, October 26, 2009
Without the disclosure letter..it would be your word..against the lawyers of a huge mega dollar corporation. Even if you patanted a flavored taco shell...they could still steal it as long as they named the flavor something different...patent laws are very confusing and subjective..trust me I know first hand. A design patent would work..but once again..all they have to do is re-name it...or claim they have made an "improvement" or "change".
I feel for you...but don't let it stress you. Take pride that you had an idea that worked. Think of something else...and next time you present it to a bunch of corporate lying thieving greedy selfish a**holes...you will have some documentation if they steal the idea.
Here is a great idea....go to taco bell and tell them you have a great idea for a new taco filling......meat. Because I doubt that is what they are using now.
Nancy
Steilacoom,Washington,
U.S.A.
IDIOT
#6Consumer Comment
Mon, October 26, 2009
IF you used the same bad grammar and spelling in your letter to Taco Bell as you did on here, no wonder they do not take you seriously. You sound like a moron. Next time you need to write a letter, try to find a 10 year old to help you. You need to get over it.