What is the difference between a copyright and a trademark?

Copyright and trademark law are two distinct legal areas. Copyrights protect original works of art, literature, music, and other creative works from being reproduced or used without permission from the author. They generally last for the life of the author plus 70 years and are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Trademarks are a form of intellectual property that protect the names, phrases, symbols, designs, or other branding elements associated with a product or service. The purpose of trademarks is to prevent others from using the same or similar marks to confuse consumers about the source of the product or service. Trademarks can be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and last as long as they are defended. In North Carolina, all of the protections of both copyright and trademark law can be enforced in the state courts. Persons who believe that their copyrights or trademarks have been violated may bring a claim in the Court of Common Pleas in the county of the violating party.

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What is the difference between a copyright and a trademark?

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