2011-10-08 14:58 Ecns.cn Web Editor: Xu Aqing

(Ecns.cn)--A fried chicken restaurant in Beijing has become a troublemaker after naming itself OFC (Obama Fried Chicken), a move that has reportedly irritated KFC, said China National Radio (CNR) on Saturday.

According to the UK's Daily Mail, KFC had made a statement regarding OFC's easily confused name, claiming that the fast food tycoon would, if necessary, take suitable legal action. However, the statement in question has not been found on KFC's website and, according to KFC's Beijing branch, no such actions have been taken.

Because of the overwhelming online attention brought by the report, Zhu Bao, one of the three investors running the restaurant, told CNR that the attention from overseas media "has scared us, and we decided to change the name after consulting lawyers."

Zhu, who is a college student, told media that they had gotten inspiration from KFC with the name and the red-and-white logo, but they had never intended to pirate KFC. To avoid a legal dispute, the store has now changed its name to UFO, but still carries the image highly resembling Barack Obama as its mascot.

The store didn't officially open until October 8, yet has received broad criticism following the report in the Daily Mail. To show support and sympathy, many of Zhu's classmates attended the opening ceremony of the store. Some web users even defended the restaurant, arguing that OFC doesn't violate KFC's rights, and has also has showed innovation.