Bloomberg Law Recipe Wars Down Under
May 17, 2025
Terence Ross, an intellectual property litigator at Katten Muchin Rosenman, dives into the intriguing copyright controversies surrounding Australian influencer Brooke Bellamy's cookbook. He discusses the claims of recipe copying that have ignited a firestorm in the baking community. The conversation explores the complex legal landscape of recipe rights, highlighting the challenges of copyright protection and the blurred lines between inspiration and plagiarism. Ross also sheds light on the financial ramifications of public disputes for influencers and their brands.
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Limits on Recipe Copyright
- Copyright protection for recipes is very limited and often considered "thin protection."
- Recipes as ideas and scientific principles aren't copyrightable, only the unique expression can be protected.
Brooke Bellamy Recipe Controversy
- Brooke Bellamy, an Australian influencer, faced accusations of copying recipes in her bestseller book.
- The controversy led to intense media scrutiny and her shutting down social media accounts.
Historical Recipe Plagiarism
- Recipe copyright infringement cases are difficult and rare due to weak legal protection.
- Plagiarism in cookbooks has a long history, often involving copying without legal consequences.
