Complaint Review: Taco Bell Corporation - Irvine, California

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. 

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.

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?

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.

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.