What is the difference between copyright, trademark, and patent law?

Copyright, trademark, and patent law are three separate forms of intellectual property law that protect the rights of creators. Copyright law is intended to protect original works of authorship such as books, music, and art. Copyright law grants the creator exclusive rights to the use and dissemination of their work for a specific period of time. In North Carolina, the duration of a copyright is the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. Trademark law protects logos, symbols, words, and phrases that identify companies, services, and products. A trademark or service mark is a unique identifier that companies use to distinguish their product or service from competitors. Patent law grants inventors the exclusive right to an invention or creation. A patent is a set of exclusive rights that an inventor is granted by the government for a limited period of time. In North Carolina, this period of time is typically 20 years. All forms of intellectual property law are enforced by the federal U.S. government. The laws in North Carolina provide additional protection for creators. Understanding the differences between copyright, trademark, and patent law is essential for anyone working in an industry that involves intellectual property.

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