12 copy cat recipes that let you enjoy your favorite restaurant foods at home (2024)

FAQs

How much do you have to change a recipe to claim it as your own? ›

The general rule [...] is that three major [emphasis added] changes are required to make a recipe "yours." However, even if you make such changes, it is a professional courtesy to acknowledge the source of or inspiration for the recipe.

A recipe can usually be considered “original” if you have changed three or more major ingredients, or three or more steps in the recipe process, and have written everything in your own words.

A complimentary mention of the original source (in the blog post and/or in the recipe card) is a good starting point, but a link back to that source is even better.

Recipes can be protected under copyright law if they are accompanied by “substantial literary expression.” This expression can be an explanation or detailed directions, which is likely why food and recipe bloggers often share stories and personal anecdotes alongside a recipe's ingredients.

Copyright law protects original works of authorship, and while a recipe may be original, it is not an "original work of authorship." This means that anyone can freely copy and use a recipe without fear of infringement. However, this does not mean that recipes are completely unprotected.

Whether or not you own exclusive intellectual property on the recipe depends on whether you qualify for one of the four legal areas of intellectual property protection: copyright, trademark, patent, or trade secret. While some limited protections may apply, food recipes are actually rather difficult to protect.

The earliest known written recipes date to 1730 BC and were recorded on cuneiform tablets found in Mesopotamia. Other early written recipes date from approximately 1600 BC and come from an Akkadian tablet from southern Babylonia. There are also works in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depicting the preparation of food.

It is achieved by having a contract that makes you the sole owner of the recipe. Copyright law protects you as the creator of a cookbook or recipe exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display the work. Protecting your recipes is necessary for running a successful food business.

Food is delicious because of three main things: flavor, salt, and heat. If you know what to look for regarding these three components, you'll have a decent idea if a new recipe is worth a go.

Submit Your Recipes to Magazines

You can actually submit your recipes to magazines that will pay you upon publication. A couple of magazines that are currently buying recipes: Cuisine at Home will pay you up to $50 for your cooking tips and recipes. EatingWell pays up to $1 per word for articles and recipes.

How do you not plagiarize a recipe? ›

No matter where you get the recipes, review each one, rewrite all the copy, test them to see that they work, adjust the language to account for regional differences (i.e. I hate it when a recipe calls for, eg, a stick of butter... I have never seen butter sold in sticks.)

Here in the food writing world, many of us follow an informal standard that you need to make at least three changes before you can claim credit for a recipe. Those changes need to be more substantial than changing 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1/4 teaspoon, although the changes don't have to just be in the ingredients.

Some of the best selling cottage foods are baked goods such as cakes, cookies, pies, and breads. But today, many people have artisan sauces and spreads that can also be safely prepared and sold.

Cost. Store bought food is usually cheaper than homemade food. For those on a tight budget, this can be an important factor when deciding between the two options. However, it's important to note that the cost of store bought food can add up quickly, so it's still wise to shop around for the best deal.

He or she can claim a recipe or dish was their invention but there is little they can legally do to protect it.

The short answer is yes – but it must be unique! Several conditions must be met for an invention to be patentable. Importantly, the recipe must be novel, involve an inventive step, and produce a useful result. It should also be non-obvious to someone with skill in the art.

In conclusion, recipes cannot be patented, but they can be protected under copyright or trade secret law. Copyright protection applies to the expression of the recipe, while trade secret protection applies to the confidential information that the owner takes steps to keep secret.

How do I sell my recipes? Sellfy is a great platform to sell your recipes online. It is a user-friendly platform that allows you to create an online store and sell your digital products, including recipes, with ease. You can upload your recipes as a PDF or other digital formats, set a price, and start selling.