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

Copyright, trademark, and patent law are three main categories of Art Law in Wisconsin that protect creators. Copyright Law is a type of art law that protects original works of authorship, such as a song, movie, book, or website. This type of law gives authors the right to control the use of their works. To protect their copyright, authors generally register their work with the federal government and they can then bring a lawsuit if someone copies their work without permission. Trademark Law is another type of art law that protects brands and logos. This type of law gives the trademark owner the exclusive right to use the protected words, symbols, or logos to distinguish the owner’s goods and services from those of others in the marketplace. For example, the Golden Arches of McDonald’s are protected by trademark law. Patent Law is the final main type of art law that promotes innovation by protecting new inventions and the rights of inventors. This law gives an inventor the exclusive right to make, use, or sell the invention he or she created for a specific period of time. Generally, inventors have to apply for a patent in order to get this protection. In short, Copyright Law protects original works of authorship, Trademark Law protects brands and logos, and Patent Law protects new inventions. All three play an important role in protecting the rights of creators in Wisconsin.

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