What is the difference between copyrights trademarks and patents

Private Copying. Orphan Works. The Game is On! Episode 1. Episode 2. A-Level Media Studies. Prompt one. Prompt two. Prompt three. Prompt four. Myth-Reality Cards. Copyright Bite 1. Certain computer programs may fall within the subject matter protected by both patents and copyrights. In this respect the patent system compliments copyright protection by providing protection for functional aspects of the software, which are not protected by copyright. Unlike with copyright protection, to get patent protection one must first apply for and be granted a patent from the U.

Unlike the copyright registration process, the patent application process is expensive, complex, difficult, and time consuming and generally should not be attempted without the assistance of an experienced patent attorney or agent. Examples include brand names, slogans, and logos.

There is rarely an overlap between trademark and copyright law but it can happen, for instance, when a graphic illustration is used as a logo the design may be protected both under copyright and trademark.

Original works of authorship, such as books, articles, songs, photographs, sculptures, choreography, sound recordings, motion pictures, and other works. Department of Commerce, the U.

Patent and Trademark Office, or any other federal agency. For other assistance, please see our contact us page. Trademark, patent, or copyright. Trademark Patent Copyright What's legally protected?

A word, phrase, design , or a combination that identifies your goods or services, distinguishes them from the goods or services of others, and indicates the source of your goods or services. Technical inventions , such as chemical compositions like pharmaceutical drugs, mechanical processes like complex machinery, or machine designs that are new, unique, and usable in some type of industry.

Artistic, literary, or intellectually created works , such as novels, music, movies, software code, photographs, and paintings that are original and exist in a tangible medium, such as paper, canvas, film, or digital format.