What is the difference between copyright and patents?

Copyright and patents are both forms of intellectual property protections, but they do apply to different things. Copyright is a form of legal protection for creative works such as literary works, music, film, and art. It prevents people from copying or distributing the work without permission of the copyright holder. Patents, on the other hand, are related to inventions. A patent is a form of legal protection to give the inventor the exclusive rights to make, use, and sell their invention. Copyright is related to expression whereas patents are related to invention. It is possible for both copyright and patent protections to exist for something, though. For example, software is protected by both copyright and patent laws in Virginia. Under copyright law, the software code is protected, and the owner has the exclusive rights to make copies of the software. Under patent law, the actual functionality of the software may be protected in addition to the code itself. In Virginia, copyright is generally awarded to original works that have been fixed in a tangible form. Patents, on the other hand, require a non-obvious invention or process, which is also called an invention with utility. In addition, patents are given on a federal level and must be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Copyright covers a different set of rights and does not require registration or application with the USPTO.

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What is the difference between copyright and patents?

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