Colonel Sanders' Secret Recipe a Trade Secret No More: Family Disclosure Unveils KFC's 11 Herbs and Spices

In 2016, a relative of Colonel Harland Sanders claimed to have discovered the original KFC fried chicken recipe in a family scrapbook. A photo of the handwritten note (found on the back of a will) was publicly circulated listing the famous "11 herbs and spices" recipe. Prior to its disclosure this blend was a closely guarded trade secret and provided KFC with a competitive edge.

Maintaining the confidentiality of a trade secret is essential to preserve its status and the legal protections it affords. Once disclosed, the information loses its trade secret status and the intellectual property rights associated with that status. So if you have a secret recipe, make sure you secure that information!

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Determining Copyright Ownership in AI-Generated Music: The Role of User Prompts

The question of who holds the copyright in AI-generated music, particularly when a user provides prompts, is a complex and evolving legal issue. Traditionally, copyright law requires human authorship for protection. The U.S. Copyright Office has indicated that works generated solely by AI without significant human involvement do not qualify for copyright protection. But where a user contributes creative input—such as selecting specific prompts, refining outputs, or integrating AI-generated elements into a broader composition—the resulting work may be eligible for copyright protection and the prompter may be potentially recognized as the author. In the case references below, the level of input by the prompter was minimal and therefore not protectable by copyright. It is important to understand that this area of law is still developing. Those using AI tools for music creation should stay informed about current legal standards and consult legal experts when necessary.

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Copyrights for Golf Courses

Golf course designs have not been explicitly protected under U.S. copyright law in the past, leaving architects with limited legal recourse against unauthorized reproductions. However, the proposed Bolstering Intellectual Rights against Digital Infringement Enhancement (BIRDIE) Act seeks to amend the U.S. Copyright Act to include golf course designs within the definition of "architectural works." If enacted, this legislation would grant designers exclusive rights over their course layouts, including elements such as landscaping, paths, greens, tees, bunkers, and lakes. This move aims to align the rights of golf course architects with those of traditional building architects, providing them with tools to protect their creative works from unauthorized use or replication. CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE