Decoder with Nilay Patel Can you patent a pizza?
Mar 28, 2024
Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley, co-hosts of Gastropod, join Anthony Mangiello, the inventor of stuffed crust pizza, for a deliciously intriguing conversation. They dive into the wild world of food patents, especially the epic legal battle that shaped stuffed crust pizza. From its humorous origin story to the complexities of protecting culinary inventions, they dissect the challenges of intellectual property rights in the food industry. The discussion reveals how legal tussles can spice up a dish’s legacy, making pizza far more thrilling than it seems!
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Origin of Stuffed Crust
- Anthony Mangiello, "The Big Cheese," claims to have invented stuffed crust pizza at 18.
- He made a mistake while making pizza for friends, resulting in extra-large crust, which inspired his idea.
History of IP Protection
- Intellectual property (IP) protection has existed since ancient Greece, evolving with technology like the printing press.
- Modern IP law in the US, including copyright and patents, aims to balance creator rights with public benefit.
Copyright and Recipes
- Copyright protects creative expression, not facts or processes, making it unsuitable for recipes.
- While commentary around recipes is copyrightable, the core list of ingredients and instructions isn't.
