Posting recipes from books

[LisaDS88]

I was wondering if you all though it was bad to post recipes on here from raw food cookbooks. I guess it sort of breaks the copyright and doesn't really support the author because people can get their recipes for free, but I just don't know. I have about 6 different raw food recipe books and some amazing ones I've tried that I'd love to tell you all about, but I don't know if that is okay or not. I suppose if you like a recipe enough you would buy their book, so in some way it actually could help support the author. What are your feelings on this?

[rawgrrl]

I'm all for posting recipes from books, as long as you don't post the entire book. (Then again, as an avid recipe hound, I'm only opposed to you posting the entire book in theory. If you were to do it, I wouldn't complain.)

Maybe the best thing to do is to ask the author when possible.

[Revvell]

If I had written a recipe book I'd have a couple of feelings about it ~ As you said, if someone liked the recipe, they might purchase the book for more if some were posted (and of course, the source should ALWAYS be mentioned); or, I'd rather have someone point the person to my website where I'd probably have posted a few recipes for free and give people an idea if they like what I create they would purchase the book.

Personally, if someone asks for a specific recipe from an author as one recently did, I copy it and email it directly to that person instead of giving it out for everyone. Just the person asking is enough to peak some interest in the book.

I don't think too many people are really earning a living by writing recipe books yet a LOT of money and time goes into the writing of it; publishing and promotion and many other things we don't know about.

Just consider how you'd feel if it were your book and act accordingly.

Revvell

[Rawkinlocs]

I agree with Revvell. It's a thing where I'd be torn. I think that as an author/publisher IF I felt that the posting of my recipe (or anything else for that matter be it an excerpt, etc.) would bring a possibility of others to check out my book then I'd be for that. As rawgrrl said, don't post ALL of my stuff, just one or two then that'd be fine as long as my name, book title and if applicable my website address were cited with it.

I think also it would depend on the recipe too. Now, if I had a recipe that I was known for...famous for...that people paid for my full book just to get that one recipe and it was posted all over the 'net, that might cause me some frustration. But if it's one of those recipes that most people already have in their books with slight modifications (like flax crackers for example) then that wouldn't be a big issue.

I've been "guilty" of posting recipes from books before, but I always make sure I give full credit to the author. But sometimes I have felt bad for doing so...so I try to stick to posting recipes from websites.


====
I agree with you too Peanut! Yeah, that's true, you can't copyright a recipe. I'm not sure how the copyright laws protect recipe book authors from getting their recipes posted. I'll have to look into this soon.

[Rawkinlocs]

Okay, this is from the U.S. Copyright website:
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html#recipe

How do I protect my recipe?
A mere listing of ingredients is not protected under copyright law. However, where a recipe or formula is accompanied by substantial literary expression in the form of an explanation or directions, or when there is a collection of recipes as in a cookbook, there may be a basis for copyright protection. Note that if you have secret ingredients to a recipe that you do not wish to be revealed, you should not submit your recipe for registration, because applications and deposit copies are public records. See FL 122, Recipes.

And here is FL 122:
===

Mere listings of ingredients as in recipes, formulas, compounds or prescriptions are not subject to copyright protection. However, where 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 United States 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.

To register the directions or instructions of a recipe or cookbook, send the following three elements in the same envelope or package to the Library of Congress, Copyright Office, 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20559-6000.

1. A completed application Form TX;
2. A nonrefundable filing fee of $30;
3. A nonreturnable deposit of the work. The deposit requirements depend on whether the work has been published at the time of registration:

* If the work is unpublished, one complete copy.
* If the work was first published in the United States on or after January 1, 1978, two complete copies of the best edition.
* If the work was first published in the United States before January 1, 1978, two complete copies as first published.
* If the work was first published outside of the United States, one complete copy of the work as first published.
* If the work is a contribution to a collective work, and published after January 1, 1978, one complete copy of the best edition of the collective work or a photocopy of the contribution itself as it was published in the collective work.

Copyright protects only the particular manner of an author’s expression in literary, artistic, or musical form. Copyright protection does not extend to names, titles, short phrases, ideas, systems or methods.

Fl-122, June 1999

[sweetgoddess]

I once wrote Victoria Boutenko and asked her if I could post something from her. She said to go right ahead, just as long as I included her name and website.

:)
~Carmel

[Sweet lips]

We have had that discussion here before., Yes., you are right-there is no copyright law on a recipe,however, I do think it is wise to include the name of the individual as well as the book for credit. I called Serene Allison and she said make sure we provided her name.,what that does for her,is to encourage some one to contact her for further information and increase book sales.

I do know after posting her cinamon rolls recipe ,several people did contact her for her book, so it worked.

[levamssg]

I have purchased several recipe books after I've seen (and tried) a certain recipe from the book on the net ... or I tasted it at a potluck and the recipe was posted next to the dish. I figure if I try one and it is wonderful, there are probably more of the same in the book.

So, my vote is to go ahead and post a recipe that you think is great as long as you include the source (book name or website and author).

[rawpriestess]

As a writer, and especially as a cookbook writer I have something to say about this.

Anytime you post someone's recipe without their consent you are committing a crime.

You can post a list of ingredients that is fine.

But posting the WAY to prepare the food is that person's actual recipe, which is protected by copyright.

I can tell you that I have posted tons of my recipes and things on the web, and that is okay, as it was my choice, I have never posted a recipe by anyone else, unless I have their written permission to do so, and I always accompany that recipe with their name and website and contact info.

Why is this such a problem?

Because I spent thousands of dollars to learn what I know about cooking, and the way flavors blend, that is why I can come up with such great recipes.

I have spent years developing my skills in the kitchen, you would be absolutely amazed as the difference in taste there is simply by the way you cut a piece of fruit.

I have spent thousands of hours preparing and testing recipes until they are perfect.

So, although you may see a recipe on the net, just like a piece of art, doesnt' mean it is yours for the taking, nor does buying the book, make it yours.

If you want people to keep making great recipes, you must compensate them for their efforts.

When I was growing up, my grandma told me to NEVER share my recipes with anyone, because that was one thing that was handed down in families.

It was part of our heritage.

Now, I don't make cooked food, and I don't use meat, so I don't use her recipes, but I've never shared them either,except with my son, and granddaughters, who will never share them either.

So, please, if you have a recipe you love, tell the author that you would like to share it, probably they will say, "sure", but they have every right to NOT have their hard work plastered all over the internet for free.

I hope you understand.

[truthseeker]

Just to let everyone know, that when I see a recipe I like that is posted on line, I copy it into another program and save the persons name and picture (if it's there) and when I save it I name that file......"raw onion soup" (or whatever the recipe is for) and then..."by - Rawpriestess" (or whoever it was that posted the recipe). Not that I share the recipe with anyone....cuz trust me there's about 3 people who are rawbies that I know. But just so that I know where these great recipes came from when I look back on them or try them at a later date.