A recipe that is not my own

1. 89

   mary615posted 7 years ago

   I want to write a Hub for a recipe that is not original to me.  Can I do that? It's a great recipe but I'm sure it's out there on the net.  I see other Hubbers publish recipes that I've certainly read before.  Any ideas?  Thanks.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Arlene V. Pomaposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      If you knew who originated the recipe, you could give credit to the author.  But we all personalize our recipes by tweaking them to our specifications.  Have you changed any of the ingredients or measurements to make the recipe "yours?"  That's the problem with recipes.  If you had been using this recipe for a long time and can't hunt down the original author, I wouldn't worry about it.  Not that someone is going to hunt you down and sue you, right?

      replyreport
   2. 89

      lobobrandonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      A recipe is public domain I guess . But don't copy paste it. Write it in your own words. What's going to be copied? Just the ingredients right? Tweak them and put them in your own words.
      
      I'm sure the procedure and other stuff you'll be writing your own.

      replyreport
      1. 84

         psycheskinnerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         I recipe is not public domain unless it is very old, like any other kind of writing.  You will most likely be infringing copyright unless it is a WWi or earlier recipe.

         replyreport
         1. 89

            Bill Yovinoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            Recipes ARE public domain. You can't copyright a recipe. Obviously, the text surrounding the recipe can be copyrighted, so make sure you use your own words to describe it and in the instructions.
            
            Think about the recipes for Coca Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken, which are some of the most guarded secrets in the world. If recipes could be copyrighted, there would be no need for that security, they would just need good lawyers.

            replyreport
            1. 84

               psycheskinnerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               *As a written work*, the list of ingredients is not copyright but every other part of the recipe is.  Recipes are no different from any other prose in this respect.

               replyreport
               1. 89

                  Bill Yovinoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  I don't really understand why you're beating this to death.  A recipe (the formula for producing the desired result)  is NOT copyright protected. That doesn't mean you can copy a page out of someone's book and claim it as your own. You can publish the list of ingredients, their measurements, and cooking methods without infringement. The introduction, description, and instructions must be in your own words.

                  replyreport
                  1. 84

                     psycheskinnerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     I wasn't beating it to death--I was showing why our apparently contradictory advice actually wasn't contradictory at all.
                     
                     Neither of us knows whether OP was speaking about a written recipe or one reconstructed from memory--so either one of us could be rights as it pertains to her question.

                     replyreport
   3. 96

      SmartAndFunposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I love to write recipe hubs. Some of the recipes are completely my own, and some of them are tweaked (not that I have that many recipe hubs). I recently did one on Kraft Fanasy Fudge, which most certainly is not mine. But I did add my own tweaks, such as using real butter instead of margarine, which in my kitchen is a must, and substituting white chocolate for semi-sweet as an option. I also wrote some commentary about how much I like the recipe and why, the history of making it in my family, etc., that makes it part of my own story, as opposed to just putting up a copy/pasted Kraft recipe.
      
      Also, just to be sure that it is not picked up by a plagiarism checker, I always put the instructions in my own words, and add little tips that I have learned from making it myself -- things I wish the original recipe would have included, like make it in a really big pan, or don't let it get too hot or the cream will curdle, etc.
      
      I also like to change little things in the measurements just to be on the safe side when it comes to a plag checker. For example, if the original recipe calls for 2 Tbsp. of cocoa, I will go ahead and write out the word 'tablespoons," or change simply "cocoa" to "cocoa powder." That may not be necessary (I don't know) but it makes me feel better. I am no expert when it comes to plagiarism or Hubpages rules; if this is bad advice for Mary615, please someone chime in and let both of us know.
      
      I am looking forward to reading your recipe hubs, Mary!

      replyreport
2. 89

   mary615posted 7 years ago

   Thanks for replies.  This recipe is a very old one that is still being used today.  The Amish people came out with it years ago.  I would never be able to find the original author.  I think I'll do it, just put it in my own words, and tweak it somewhat.  Wish me luck!

   replyreport
   1. 89

      brittanytoddposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Good luck!  And you should include the story of how you got the recipe...it sounds interesting.

      replyreport
   2. 89

      lobobrandonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Good luck I may turn out reading it even though I'm not interested in recipes at the moment

      replyreport
3. 0

   Arlene V. Pomaposted 7 years ago

   Hahahaha.  Give us the recipe!

   replyreport
4. 89

   mary615posted 7 years ago

   OK, it's coming soon!~  Be on the lookout.  Thanks for all your input!

   replyreport