How do I copyright my recipe book?

Question

I want to be able to sale my recipe book to the public, how can I get it copyrighted?

Thank you everyone who answers. I also heard that you can mail yourself a copy but I didn't understand how that helps.

Answer 1

Once you write it down, it is fixed form and automatically covered by copyright. Your publisher most likely will take care of the registration to protect his interests.

I am not sure what kind of protection you are expecting from copyright though. Can you prove all your recipies are original with you. For example, if you make muffins the way your mom did, purhaps she got her recipie out of a magazine 40 years ago. If you think someone copies your ideas, you would have to prove that they did not think of it on their own or come by it from another source. It is very tough to prove infringement, even in blatant cases unless the other party freely admits to stealing.

If you are not willing to make your recipies a gift to society, then your only recourse is to keep them hidden. A secret. Like the recipie for my mom's bread.

Answer 2

That is what *copyright attorneys* are for... OR you could contact a publisher and they would help you out if they thought it would sell

Once upon a year.. several of them ago.. I also was going to write a cook book.. only have a handful of home made recipes but I am glad you followed thru with it....

GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

Your publisher will arrange that if you ask them.

It would pay to retain the original but I get the impression you are doing it on line so to e-mail it to your self you would have proof that what you sent to the publisher is real and hasn't been made up at a later date

Answer 4

I had always heard that you should mail yourself a copy before you send it to the publisher.