Copyright woes for 'Kick the KD' class

CALGARY, Alberta, April 21 (UPI) -- A Canadian cooking instructor has been ordered by food giant Kraft to change the name of a class for Calgary, Alberta, university students from "Kick the KD."

In a letter he received this week from Kraft Canada, food writer Dan Clapson was told both KD and Kraft Dinner are copyrighted names, the Calgary Sun reported. On his Web site, Clapson uses both the term KD and a font similar to that used on the boxed macaroni and cheese product.

Clapson said he will change the name of the free 10-week program he began in February for up to 15 students at a time to decrease their reliance on boxed food, such as Kraft Dinner and pizza.

He said while he was taken aback by the admonition, there's no denying KD is a staple of university students' lives and a fine product, in moderation.

"I think when you are in university you aren't in the appropriate situation where you want to cook something so you turn to something that is quick and easy," he said.

His course focuses on cook-from-scratch meals, some of which include beer, reports said.

Kraft Canada spokeswoman Lynne Galia told the National Post while Clapson had a good idea, the company was within its rights.

"We have to protect our trademarks -- especially one as beloved as this," she said.