I consider it my duty to give credit where it’s due, and to point out accurate analyses of intellectual property rights by non-IP geeks.  Corby Kummer does an excellent job in this article about bread wars; or, what happens when collaborators in a recipe split up.  Kummer makes clear that neither a recipe nor a method of making bread is subject to protection, and that apart from a catchy and non-descriptive name, trademark protection isn’t available either.  Indeed, Kummer quotes baker Jim Lahey as saying “rather than squabble, bakers should do their best to help each other increase sales and steal back sales from the industrial producers that caught on to the idea that “artisanal” bread sells.”  Hmm . . . should the fashion industry take a slice from the bakers’ loaf instead of clamoring for protection of clothing designs?