Subway's successful $5 Footlong campaign has sparked plenty of copycats, with sandwich chains and other quick-service restaurants latching onto the price point. The campaign was so successful, the company is in the process of applying to the the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the exclusive right to use the term for its 12-inch sub sandwiches.
Subway spokesman Les Winograd said the trademark would apply only to the term when applied to sub sandwiches.
A St. Petersburg Times columnist reported Sunday that a Brooksvegas, Fla., chili dog stand received a cease and desist letter from Subway demanding Coney Island Drive Inn stop using the term.
Winograd said today that the letter was sent in error to Coney Island Drive Inn and has told the owner to disregard it. The company's legal department is charged with protecting its brand and such letters may occasionally be sent to sub sandwich chains using the term.
