Can I sue someone for profiting from my recipe?!


Question: Can I sue someone for profiting from my recipe!?
A few years ago I was at a farmer's market and started talking to one of the vendors!. We ended up going into business where I made a product which he then sold at the markets and gave me a cut!. At the end of the season he stopped returning my phone calls!. The next season he was seen selling my product, while cutting me out of it!. He knew the ingredients because he insisted on buying them and supplying me with them!. That was last season!. This season I started my own booth with a completely different product!. I am at the same market and I seen him selling hundreds of my product! When he saw me at the market he tried to be casual and said his product wasn't as good as mine, but he gave me a container and it tastes exactly the same!. Is there anything I can legally do about this!? It upsets me that he is making money off a product that is rightfully mine!.Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Sorry, but I agree with Snackie!. It's my understanding you can't copyright a recipe!. You can always speak to an attorney!. I think you should find an attorney you can work with!. Next time, get a contract before going into business with someone!. Nice guys have to watch our own back - nobody else will!. Live and learn - the hard way, in this case!.

You have every right to be upset!. This guy is a weasel and he got caught!. I think you're right- he ripped off your recipe!. I'd ask him for your cut and see what his response is!. I'd at least want him to feel uncomfortable about ripping you off!. Why not continue to sell your original product - the one that he ripped off!? Is there anything preventing you!?

Sorry, but I hate seeing someone take advantage of another person like this guy did!. I hope you sell our original product, your new product and make way more money than he does!.!. I'd love it if you sold so much he decided to do something on his own!. Good luck!



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In general, recipes aren't copyrighted!.

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!.

http://www!.copyright!.gov/fls/fl122!.htmlWww@FoodAQ@Com

If you can prove you came up with the idea first then it's your recipe!. It's kind of like copyright laws!. I would call a lawyer just to see what rights you have!. If someone stole the chocolate chip recipe years ago that is now on EVERY chocolate chip bag then we'd have a different name on it then!.!. Hershey's or something of the sort!.


I would call!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

Unfortunately you didn't do anything to protect yourself in advance, therefore I don't think you have a chance - Sometimes the most valuable lessons are also the most costly - you will know for the future that you protect yourself in advance!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Possibly!. If you have evidence you may be able to take him for court but it would be very difficult unless you patented the recipe or had a contract!.
Sorry to hear about this one!. Best of luck to you!
<3 ~k8~Www@FoodAQ@Com

no!. you could try, but it is just your word against his!. there really isn't anything that you can do!. a lawyer would know for sure though!. that is your best bet!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

There is nothing you can do unless your recipe was copyrighted!. Www@FoodAQ@Com





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