Cockblocked by Coq Roq?

OK, you’ve heard of Burger King’s new chicken fries, right? Strips of chicken shaped like french fries.

OK, then you know about Burger King’s weird marketing campaign behind the chicken fries, the one with the fake band Coq Roq. I know. It’s effed up.

So here’s the kicker. A real band has threatened a lawsuit against Burger King, saying that the fake band was modeled on this real band (that nobody’s heard of) called Slipknot. The Smoking Gun has the letter. Here’s a snippet from Smoking Gun’s report:

Counsel for the band notes that Coq Roq–whose masked members are supposed to resemble badass chickens–has blatantly copied several of Slipknot’s signature masks, including a gas mask, a kabuki-style face covering, and a mask with dreadlocks attached. Coq Roq’s lead guitarist, The Talisman, is pictured at left. Details of Slipknot’s beef with Burger King surfaced in connection with an August 12 federal court filing made by the fast food company and its advertising firm. Burger King wants a U.S. District Court judge in Miami to issue a “declaratory judgment” that the Coq Roq campaign does not infringe on Slipknot’s publicity and trademark rights. As for the similar masks, Burger King lawyers–who apparently read the metal mag Revolver–note that many groups “wear masks and/or make-up to accomplish a mask-like effect, including but not limited to the bands KISS, Gwar, Insane Clown Posse, Mushroomhead, Mudvayne, Marilyn Manson, Los Straitjackets, and the Spits.”

(Just so you know, the fake BK band is pictured at top, Slipknot below.)