Expert: Shannon Moore - 1/17/2010

Question
I was wondering if there was a way to copyright a a shot I made up?  I don't was to benefit from it. I just want to be recognized for it.

Answer
Dear Roxanne,

Yes, you can copyright recipes. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"Mere listings of ingredients as in recipes, formulas, compounds, or prescriptions are not subject to copyright protection. However, when a recipe or formula is accompanied by substantial literary expression in the form of an explanation or directions, or when there is a combination of recipes, as in a cookbook, there may be a basis for copyright protection.

Protection under the copyright law (title 17 of the U.S. Code, section 102) extends only to “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a tangible form (a copy). “Original” means merely that the author produced the work by his own intellectual effort, as distinguished from copying an existing work. Copyright protection may extend to a description, explanation, or illustration, assuming that the requirements of the copyright law are met."

http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl122.html -- Link to above

To register, go here: http://www.copyright.gov/eco/ The cost is $35 per application.

Let me know if I can assist you with anything else.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Warmest regards,
Shannon Moore
http://www.tmexpress.com
http://tmexpress.blogspot.com
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