Copyrights and Plagiarism
Copyright and Recipes
Copyright does not protect basic recipes – including the list of ingredients and the functional steps for completion. Copyright potential can protect the story written around the recipe, including all images used in the posting.
“A mere listing of ingredients is not protected under copyright law. However, where a recipe or formula is accompanied by substantial literary expression in the form of an explanation or directions, or when there is a collection of recipes as in a cookbook, there may be a basis for copyright protection.” Copyright.gov; PDF
Attribution Guidelines
When in doubt, give attribution.
Adapted from: A recipe is modified slightly from the original
Inspired by: A recipe was modified quite a bit from the original
Resource Links
Lexology, Protecting Your Recipes, January 23, 2018
Plagiarism Today, Recipes, Copyright and Plagiarism, March 24, 2015
Sara F. Hawkins, Attorney at Law, Copyright and Recipes in Plain English, March 1, 2011