Irvine-based Taco Bell Corp. is suing its former advertising agency as it seeks to recover a big judgment it recently lost in a copyright case.
The move follows a June Grand Rapids, Mich., jury verdict ordering the Mexican fast food chain to pay $30.2 million to Thomas Rinks and Joseph Shields of marketing firm Wrench LLC, also of Grand Rapids.
Rinks and Shields' a suit against Taco Bell charged the chain with stealing their idea to use a Chihuahua dog in commercials and other marketing. A smart-talking Chihuahua became the focus of a Taco Bell ad campaign by New York-based agency TBWA agency Chiat/Day Inc.
Taco Bell's suit contends its contract with Chiat/Day compels …
