How to Copyright a Seasoning Blend
Copyright laws are complex and can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Technically, a seasoning blend would be considered a recipe for the purposes of copyright, and a simple list of ingredients cannot be copyrighted. If your seasoning blend contains very thorough directions or explanations, or additional literary expressions and ideas, you may be able to obtain a copyright. In addition, it is important to understand that copyright applications are made public. If you wish your seasoning blend to remain secret, copyrighting it may not be your best option.
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Instructions
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Consult with an attorney about the feasibility of copyrighting your seasoning blend if there is enough substantial literary expression to make it eligible for copyright. Consider your intended future use of the seasoning blend before choosing to copyright. For example, if you wish to use your seasoning blend in a restaurant endeavor and keep it secret, copyrighting may actually hurt you.
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Visit the U.S. Copyright office's website, and register through the "Electronic Copyright Office" by creating a username and providing personal information, such as your name, address and phone number, as prompted by the website. You can use this account to apply for a copyright online.
Alternatively, download a fill-in copy of Form CO from the website and open it using a PDF viewer. Note that as you fill in the form, barcodes are generated specifically relating to your information. Thus, you cannot copy or save the form, but you can print as many copies as you need.
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Gather information about your seasoning blend, such as the year it was created, the title and publication information if applicable, to have on hand while completing the registration process. You will also need the contact information of anyone who owned the copyright to the seasoning blend prior to your acquisition of it, if applicable.
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Log into your newly created "Electronic Copyright Office" account and click on the link "Register a New Claim" in the left side menu. You will be asked a series of questions about your seasoning blend and required to submit an electronic copy of the entire document containing your seasoning blend.
If you are using Form CO, you will fill in the same information as you would during the online registration. However, you will need to attach a hard copy of your seasoning blend document and make sure you sign the form by hand once it is printed. Do not write anywhere else on the form or modify the form by hand in any way.
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Print Form CO and mail it to the U.S. Copyright Office with the appropriate attachment and a check for the filing fee. If you filed electronically, you still need to submit a hard copy of your document to the agency and pay the filing fee. As of the time of publication, the filing fee is $50 if you mail in Form CO and the appropriate documentation or $35 if you file online.
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Await approval or denial of your copyright registration. This normally takes six to eight weeks, depending on the volume of copyrights submitted during the same time period you submitted your seasoning blend. If the Copyright Office requires more information to process your application, you will be notified by letter, telephone call or email.
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