Subway Is Ready To Get Fresh With Unauthorized "Footlongs"

Overly aromatic sub chain Subway is getting a little possessive of the word “Footlong,” thanks to the success of its “foot-long sandwiches for a Lincoln” campaign and the attendant jingle: Not only is the company is currently petitioning the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the exclusive rights to the term, it’s getting its legal department to hassle outlets that dare use it — even hot-dog stands that have been throwing around the word “footlong” for some 47 years. Apparently the frank-related harassment was the result of an overzealous worker bee: Hot dogs are safe, according to a rep for the chain. But plain old sandwich shops better watch their backs! Or feet, as it were.