Corn Flakes, Corn Fakes and a new concept in branded breakfast cereals

Those of you who are Londoners and who read Wednesday morning’s Metro on the way to work (like the IPKat's informant Rebecca Dimaridis who supplied and part-wrote this item) will have been enthralled by the story that Kellogg's have developed a method to brand their famous signature on to their Corn Flakes, creating an image which would apparently look similar to the picture below on their website. The Breakfast Barons of Battle Creek are apparently taking this measure in order to assist consumers -- particularly those prone to post-sale confusion -- to identify the original product from its imitators.
It appears that not every flake will be so branded; each box will be 'seeded' with a number of lasered flakes, so those who are determined to do so can fish them out and deploy them craftily among own-brand generic products and create the illusion that they are the 'real thing'.

The IPKat wonders whether this method of branding is itself the subject of any intellectual property protection, though an admittedly brief search didn't show up any results. Merpel can’t help but wonder whether this new development will be the beginning of a new trend, giving a whole new meaning to the concept of the branded breakfast cereal.

The Kats are a little suspicious of this story, which some people have felt to be a bit flaky, or indeed as fake as the lookalike flakes against which Kellogg's seek to protect themselves. Any useful information from readers, particularly if they work for Kellogg's and don't mind risking their jobs, will be greatly welcome.

More reportage of this story in The Guardian, The Scottish Daily Record, BrandRepublic and Geeks.

Awesome ... the Black Corn Flake here

Corn Flakes that kill here ... and Corn Flake Wreaths here

Corn Flake Tart recipe here