What Protections Do You Get from Copyright vs Trademark

[inquisitiveals]

I'm starting up a personal business and have done some research regarding copyright laws but I have a few questions.

My business concerns recipe books and original artwork.

If I copyright the company name does that protect my original recipes and artwork as well?

I'm also confused as to whether a trademark or a copyright would be better, legally speaking, for my product and business.

I know that you can file for a copyright and trademarks online, is this a secure way of doing this?

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[LawResearcherMissy]

If I copyright the company name does that protect my original recipes and artwork as well?

You cannot copyright the company name. You can trademark it, though. Trademark protects your company name and logo. Copyright protects your art and articles. Recipes are not protected by copyright, but the recipe instructions are.

[inquisitiveals]

You cannot copyright the company name. You can trademark it, though. Trademark protects your company name and logo. Copyright protects your art and articles. Recipes are not protected by copyright, but the recipe instructions are.

Thanks for the quick response. Would I need individual copyrights for each recipe? Part of the product is a book, this may be a stupid question but I just want my bases covered. Or do I get the copyright for the intructions in the book and cover it that way?

[LawResearcherMissy]

You would register the entire book.

[flyingron]

To expand Missy's statement, the book itself can be registered. The material is copyrighted as soon as you fix them in tangible form.

[aaron]

Please note that, at a basic level, lists of ingredients and quantities cannot be copyrighted. The presentation of a recipe can be copyrighted, as can the instructions on how to complete the recipe, illustrations, photographs accompanying the recipe, etc.

[flyingron]

The "expression" of the instructions. I can generate instructions that make the same recipe without infringing as long as they are my own creative effort.