Owen a famous chef sells to pat restaurant that was closed years ago discovers valuable recipes sues for the who wins?

The outcome of the lawsuit would depend on several factors, including the specific circumstances of the case and the applicable laws and regulations.

However, here is a general overview of how such a lawsuit might play out:

1. Ownership of the Recipes:

- If Owen can prove that he created the recipes and they are original works of authorship, he may have copyright protection over them. This means that he has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and sell the recipes.

- If, however, the recipes are not considered original or if they were created while Owen was an employee of the restaurant, the ownership of the recipes may belong to the restaurant or its owner.

2. Breach of Contract:

- If Owen had a contract with the restaurant that specified ownership or rights to the recipes, a breach of that contract could be a basis for a lawsuit.

- For example, if the contract stated that Owen would retain ownership of the recipes, but the restaurant sold them to Pat without Owen's consent, that could constitute a breach of contract.

3. Unjust Enrichment:

- If Pat's restaurant benefits financially from using Owen's recipes without compensating him, Owen may have a claim for unjust enrichment. This legal doctrine allows a person to recover unjust profits obtained by someone else.

4. Statute of Limitations:

- There may be a time limit (statute of limitations) within which Owen must file a lawsuit. The specific time limit varies depending on the jurisdiction and the type of legal claim.

5. Damages:

- If Owen is successful in his lawsuit, he may be entitled to damages, which could include:

- Lost profits due to the unauthorized use of his recipes

- The value of the recipes themselves

- Any other damages resulting from the alleged infringement of his intellectual property rights.

6. Settlement:

- It is also possible that the parties may reach a settlement agreement before the case goes to trial. This could involve Pat's restaurant compensating Owen for the use of his recipes or granting him some form of ownership or licensing rights.

The outcome of the lawsuit would ultimately depend on the evidence presented, the interpretation of the relevant laws, and the decision of the court or jury.