Taco Bell wants to liberate the “Taco Tuesday” trademark from a smaller, rival chain.

The taco chain filed a petition Tuesday (naturally) with the US Patent and Trademark office to cancel the trademark, owned by rival Taco John’s for 34 years, because Taco Bell claims the commonly used phrase “should be freely available to all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos.”

Since Taco John’s owns the trademark, other restaurants and companies must seek permission to use “Taco Tuesday” in branding and advertising.

[Here’s a thought — come up with your own ideas, corporate giant with massive marketing budgets. You’d better believe that Taco Bell’s lawyers would descend en masse on any competitor who used the phrase “Think outside the bun” in their advertisements. — Ed]