Cooking website & recipe copyrights

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by gurisingh, Feb 18, 2012.

  1. #1
    Hello Guys,

    I am planning to create a cooking website with recipes and where users can post their recipes as well. Now I can't really control what recipe they submit and I can't check all submitted recipes whether they were copied from other websites or not.

    What is the best approach to make sure everything is legal ?

    Anyone knows any terms and condition I can make them accept bevor they publish the recipe or any other ideas ?

    Any help would be much appreciated.
     
    gurisingh, Feb 18, 2012 IP
  2. gurisingh

    gurisingh Peon

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    #2
    No one able to help ?
     
    gurisingh, Feb 19, 2012 IP
  3. contentboss

    contentboss Peon

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    #3
    You might want to check with one of the experts (mjewel, dave z, brownt dude etc) but I'm not sure that recipes can actually be copyrighted. Aren't they just 'lists'??

    I could be wrong! Here's a link :- can recipes be copyrighted
     
    contentboss, Feb 19, 2012 IP
  4. ajwalsh

    ajwalsh Peon

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    #4
    Yeah, it is an interesting question. I would definitely want to consult with an attorney before going forward, because I'm guessing there won't be a quick and easy answer.
     
    ajwalsh, Feb 19, 2012 IP
  5. elanne

    elanne Peon

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    #5
    When I've read your post I've done a little research for it and I found out that, it says copyright law does not protect recipes. Anyway, you can always search for attorneys consultation online, they are all over.
     
    elanne, Feb 21, 2012 IP
  6. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #6
    There is a long thread on this topic. The short answer is this:

    The list of ingredients part of the recipe is fair game, as are basic mixing/cooking instructions. (like, bake at 400)

    What you can't copy is any original text, photos, images, which may accompany a recipe. Any special information, stories, details that are not a mere list of ingredients or basic instruction should not be copied.

    Read this for more info:
    http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=1492117
     
    browntwn, Feb 21, 2012 IP
  7. gurisingh

    gurisingh Peon

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    #7
    Hi !

    Thanks for the info. I've came accross the same sort of information on the internet but thought I might checkup with some experts.

    Thanks again.
     
    gurisingh, Feb 21, 2012 IP
  8. anilamomin

    anilamomin Greenhorn

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    #8
    Only original works of authorship are protected by copyright.
     
    anilamomin, Dec 21, 2012 IP
  9. omgcats

    omgcats Member

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    #9
    If users are submitting recipes, you are not responsible for screening them thanks to the DMCA. Read up on the DMCA procedures. You will have to register a takedown agent for your website and have a way for people to contact you if their recipes appear on your site so that you can take them down. As long as you respond to all requests, you won't be responsible for infringements done by your users.
     
    omgcats, Dec 22, 2012 IP
  10. Linktub

    Linktub Well-Known Member

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    #10
    It is a lot more about the actual wordage, and a lot less about the ingredients used.
     
    Linktub, Dec 26, 2012 IP