Turkey, Trademarks, and Thanksgiving Branding – IP Protection for Recipes and Holiday Traditions

Who really owns your Thanksgiving traditions? In this special holiday edition of The Briefing, Weintraub Tobin partners Scott Hervey and Richard Buckley discuss how intellectual property law intersects with holiday food, recipes, and branding.

They explore:

• Why recipes usually aren’t protected by copyright
• The surprising trademarks behind holiday favorites like Turducken and Tofurky
• How brands use trademarks, trade dress, and storytelling to own a piece of the Thanksgiving season
• The rise of “Friendsgiving” as both a cultural phenomenon and a branding challenge

Whether you’re a lawyer, brand owner, or marketing professional, this episode offers valuable insight into how IP shapes the way we celebrate and sell the holidays.