

In general: Life of the author/creator, plus 70 years For works made for hire (works created for a business under a contract that gives the business the copyright): 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter
#DEFINE COMPARE REGISTRATION#
Logos, illustrations, blog posts, websites, articles, advertising copy, photographs-however you cannot copyright names, individual words or simple phrases.Ĭan last forever, but you must file periodic maintenance and renewal paperwork starting five years after registration
#DEFINE COMPARE BLUETOOTH#
The design of the iPhone BlueTooth data transferring technology Keurig’s K-Cup pod Name example: McDonald’s Slogan example: I’m Lovin’ It Logo example: The golden arches There are three types of patents: utility, design and plantĪ copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible medium Having a trademark can help separate you from your competitorsĪ patent grants property rights to the creator(s) of a new, unique and useful invention, discovery or process. Here is a brief overview on how your company might use a copyright, trademark or patent.Ī trademark can be a phrase, word or design-or all three- that describes what your company does or sells. A patent means the inventions and any related processes cannot be copied, made or sold unless permission is given by the inventor. Receiving a patent ensures you’ll have the opportunity to profit from your hard work. Innovations can take years to create and are often expensive. A federal trademark also gives you additional ways to enforce the mark and paves the way for registering your mark in other countries. Registration creates a public record of your trademark ownership and it allows you to use the ® symbol, helping establish legitimacy and trust with your customers and ward off counterfeiters. Receiving a trademark means your competitors can not register the same, or a deceptively similar, trademark in the same class of goods or services where your trademark is registered. On 's Website Advantages of Receiving a Federal Trademark

Copyright Office to make your copyright claim public record. That’s why we recommend registering your work with the U.S. And you can only file a copyright infringement lawsuit if your copyright is registered. But unregistered works may be difficult to prove in the case that someone else uses or steals your work. Advantages of Obtaining CopyrightĪ copyright is granted the moment you create an original work in a tangible or fixed form. A copyright gives you the exclusive right to use a work in a variety of ways: you can reproduce it, sell or distribute copies, display it, perform it, or create other works based on your copyrighted work.Copyrights are automatic upon creation of the original work, but registration is recommended so that the copyright claim is part of the public record. The key is that the work must exist on a physical or digital medium, such as paper, film or a digital file. CopyrightĪ copyright protects original works of authorship including songs, books, movies, articles and much more. There are three main types of patents: utility, design and plant. Patents allow you to bar others from making, using or selling your invention. PatentĪ patent is a granted property right to the creator(s) of a new, unique and useful invention, discovery or process. There are state-level and federal-level trademarks, each with its own registration process. A trademark can help distinguish you from your competitors and prevent others from using your mark.

TrademarkĪ trademark can be a phrase, word or design that identifies your company and its goods or services. Here is a brief explanation of each type of intellectual property. Patent and Trademark Office will grant patents and register trademarks. Copyright Office at the Library of Congress while the U.S. On 's Website Definitions of Copyright, Trademark and PatentĬopyrights are registered by the U.S.
