I am writing a cookbook. Can I mention specific brand names in Recipes?!


Question:

I am writing a cookbook. Can I mention specific brand names in Recipes?

I am writing a cookbook which I intend to sell in an ebook format. A lot of my recipes are company specific, meaning I would rather say "use two cans of Campbells cream of chicken soup" instead of "use two cans of cream of chicken soup". Do I need permission from the companies I mention?


Answers:
Yes and No. Under legal US copyright law, you cannot "demand" in a recipe to use Campbell Cream of Mushroom soup. Doing so infringes on other companies that make the same kind of soup, and unless it's an official recipe of Campbell and/ or it's subsidiaries, you could be sued for slander or copyright infringement.
HOWEVER, there is absolutely nothing wrong with making a reccomendation for your favorite brand.
Example: Add one can of Cream of Mushroom Soup (I prefer the Campbell's brand).
Companies cannot sue you for reccomendations or preference. So by doing it like this, it's legal and protected.
Good luck on your book, let me know when it comes out.

Source(s):
Personal advice from lawyers. Was going to do something similar.

They are all trade marked go ahead and get sued

Yes, you need premission to use their names in a production of any type.

Instead of using brand names, use generic details. While Campbells cream of chicken soup works best, why not just say ## oz Cream of Chicken Soup? People who see "Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup" will get whatever kind of cream of chicken soup they have, not just Campbells.

No, not without expressed, written permission. Otherwise you are violating trademarks.

Plus, really, how original are your recipes? Unless you made every one of them up, you best be sure they haven't been in print before in so much as a church cookbook or you're in bigger trouble than you think.

It is not a good idea unless you want to get sued.. In order to mention specifics, you need to have permission..

there is definitely no rule if you could place or not place a brand name on any cookbook, unless ofcourse ur their company cookbook writer that is. but if you want to play it safe, write to each company and mention what you plan to do and m sure they'd be glad of the free advertising.

Yes, you need permission to print any trademarks. Explain what type of chicken soup you are refering to instead eg: Cream of chicken soup rather than any chicken soup. Hope this is helpful. Good luck

I would think so. Because most brands out there have trademark labels. Yea, you probably would be better off saying "use two cans of cream of chicken soup". It probably would also make it easier on your reader. Telling them to get any kind of cream of chicken as long as they had it in their recipe.
If you want to make sure. Go rummaging through a few published cookbooks and see what they used. To get a variety of answers, look through books by different authors.

Maybe you could just mention in your recipes, to use your "favorite brand" of soup, broth, cheese, etc. That'd be the safest way to go.

Permission will be required if you choose to use the name brand of soup.

I agree with the other Answerers (so far). Although really, mentioning brand names, such as Campbell's, probably wouldn't prompt those companies to pay any attention to you. That's partly because in your case, you're using the companys' products (cream of mushroom soup, for example) in a positive light. Why should it bother them?

But an even BIGGER reason is that Campbell's will probably never even know your e-book exists. Do you have any idea how many recipes there are that call for cream of mushroom soup? My grandmother never got sued for her green bean casserole.

I have edited cookbooks, and I also publish web logs featuring recipes. Maybe someday, I'll get around to putting together an actual book. The point is, I almost never mention specific brand names for ingredients (or for cooking equipment). It's not because I'm worried about lawsuits; it has to with availability. If someone outside the USA reads my recipe, they may be unable to find a particular brand where they live.

I'll use generic descriptions, such as "one 14-ounce can of cream of mushroom soup". Whatever brand you happen to use, the results won't vary significantly.

No you can not they will sue you for breaking the Copy Right law!!!!
Your best bet is to Ask them before using their names.

Your best bet is to ask a local lawyer.
Although I can not think of reason they would deny you.




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