Law

GastroIntellectual Property Law Symposium Tonight!

Nick Kokonas (r.) shows Grant Achatz the relevant statutes.
Nick Kokonas (r.) shows Grant Achatz the relevant statutes.

We know, you’re quickly trying to think of an excuse to turn this one down (“Have to wash my hair… the dog’s not feeling well”) but this is actually kind of fascinating. Can people copyright, trademark, even patent dishes? Some of the cutting-edge restaurants like Alinea and Moto have toyed with the concept, especially after some of their artful constructs have been ripped off by others. But if you can, how far does it go? Are schoolchildren at risk of being sued if somebody patents peanut butter & jelly sandwiches? Worse yet, are schoolchildren going to sue Next for ripping them off with the Childhood menu? Anyway, discussing all these mindbending possibilities will be no less than Next co-owner Nick Kokonas, along with the ex-head of intellectual property law at Kraft and a couple of other people in the field (including Moto’s IP lawyer). It’s at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law starting at 5:30; find out more here.

GastroIntellectual Property Law Symposium Tonight!