Two major french fry producers -- Idaho’s J.R. Simplot company and Illinois-based McCain Foods -- are facing a court battle over a new twisty fry design.
The Times-News reports the J.R. Simplot company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against McCain Foods in U.S. District Court Friday, claiming the competitor copied Simplot's idea for a twisty french fry.
Officials with McCain Foods have not yet filed a response to the lawsuit, and they didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the lawsuit, Simplot introduced the twisty fries called "Sidewinders" in 2013, and the new product was a success. The fries are offered in several varieties, including craft beer batter, seasoned crisps and smoky barbeque flavor.
Simplot says it has a patent for the ornamental features of the fry, and contends in the lawsuit that McCain Foods' new "Twisted Potato" fries are copycat versions of the Sidewinder fries.
(by Associated Press)
