How to Protect your Recipes, Menus and Intellectual Property

Ever worried that someone is copying your ideas without permission? Recipes, menus, designs – even your name.

When people see that you’re successful, it won’t take long for them to borrow your ‘intellectual property’ – a quick Google search usually gives them most of what they’re after!

In this interview I'm interviewed by Ken Burgin from Profitable Hospitality about intellectual property. We discuss trademarks, business names and logos, customer lists, ‘trade secrets’, photographs and of course menus and recipes. There’s a lot of protection you can take advantage of if you take the right steps – first you need to understand the terms and concepts.

Hop on over to the Profitable Hospitality Podcast to have a listen or download the podcast from iTunes via your favourite Podcatcher application (app).

Below are some useful links that I mention during the  podcast:

IP Australia
http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/

The Australian Government agency that administers Intellectual Property (IP)  rights on Trademarks and other IP such as Patents, Designs and Plant  Bleeder's Rights.

Australian Copyright Council
http://www.copyright.org.au/

If you search on 'recipes' in the search box the search result will be an  information sheet called 'Recipes: Legal Protection', a great resource for Cafes and Chefs.

Arts Law Centre of Australia
http://www.artslaw.com.au/

A photographer's release form (sample agreement) can be purchased and downloaded for $75AUD. Note: there are many online document supply companies around the world where similar forms can be purchased and downloaded. Choose the company and forms relevant to your country.

United States Patent and Trademark Office:
http://www.uspto.gov/

The U.S. Copyright Office:
www.copyright.gov

The office of public record for copyright registration and deposit of copyright material:

For assistance with protecting your Brand, applying for a Trademark in Australia or IP Strategies and business planning please contact me through the Contact Form on this website.

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Email Geoff Moller