Nikhitha Naveen Kumar & Chiranthana N Yadav, BA LLB, School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore
ABSTRACT
The hotel industry has deeply ingrained ethos and values of hospitality, caring and sharing which has resulted in this very industry to operate in a low intellectual property zone. Chefs have not been granted copyright protection for their culinary presentations. This paper analyzes the complexities in providing copyrightability to the styles of plating which are unique and creative in their own way. If exclusivity is given to the chefs’ creative works, it might hamper the norms on which this industry has been built on. However, chefs are taking immense measures to enhance the visual experience of their cuisines and dishes. The article also explores the possibility of treating the culinary presentations as legitimate art and thus worthy of copyright protection. It goes on to discuss if such presentations qualify for copyright protection and what merits there may be to giving chefs copyright protection for their original works. A more creative and innovative food sector can be cultivated through copyright protection for culinary presentations, which can also give chefs due recognition and protection.
Keywords: Culinary presentations, styles of plating, copyright, artistic work
