Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar in Somers Point recently abandoned its decades-old claim to own the phrase Taco Tuesday in New Jersey amid a challenge from fast-food giant Taco Bell. The relinquishment comes about three months after Taco John’s, a Midwestern-based chain, handed over its rights to the trademark in 49 states — which means the expression is now free to use nationwide. NJbiz.com reports after hosting its first taco-themed night in 1979, Gregory’s received the service trademark for the phrase three years later. But, when it came time to renew the trademark in 1989, Gregory’s failed to submit timely evidence of continued use, prompting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel the registration and grant the rights to Taco John’s, a chain of roughly 400 restaurants. Gregory’s went on to defend its trademark against Taco John’s, which resulted in the two agreeing to divvy it up between New Jersey and the rest of the U.S.