According to the Delhi High Court, the multinational fast food restaurant chain KFC cannot claim exclusive rights to the use of the term "chicken." Kentucky Fried Chicken International Holdings LLC appealed the Senior Examiner of Trademarks' refusal to register "Chicken Zinger" as its trademark, and that brought the court to make the observation.
"It is clarified that Appellant shall not have any exclusive rights in the word "Chicken". Trademarks Registry shall reflect this disclaimer at the time of advertisement of subject mark and also if subject mark ultimately proceeds for registration," said Justice Sanjeev Narula in a recent order.
In general, it's not possible to copyright a common or generic term, as they are not considered to be original or unique to a particular brand. The ruling by the Delhi High Court is consistent with this principle, as "chicken" is a common food item and is not unique to KFC.
