The Colonel Surrenders

David Weigel | May 10, 2007

The annals of ridiculous intellectual property lawsuits are a little thinner today.

An American fast food giant has backed down in a row with a North Yorkshire country inn amid claims the pub is using one of its trademark phrases.

The Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in England, had been told by Kentucky Fried Chicken to remove the words "family feast" from its menu.

KFC's lawyers said the company owned the copyright to the wording.

But hours later the American firm's lawyers decided not to pursue the issue of the pub's meal description.

Something to consider if you're ever tempted to describe your last repast as finger-lickin'.