What is the difference between a copyright and a patent?

Copyright and patent are both forms of intellectual property that protect intellectual property rights. However, they are different in a couple of key ways. Copyrights protect works of authorship, such as books, music, and artistic works. Patents protect inventions, such as machines and processes. In Kansas, copyrights are regulated by the United States Copyright Office and patents are regulated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copyright is relatively easy to obtain and lasts for the life of the author, plus 70 years. It can cost hundreds of dollars to register a copyright, but it is not required. To register a copyright, the author must submit a completed application, a nonrefundable fee, and a copy of the work to be registered. Copyrights protect an author’s right to control the production or reproduction of the work, how it is used, and how it is distributed. A patent, on the other hand, is much more difficult and expensive to obtain. Patent applications can be very complex and involve a large amount of research and documentation. It can cost thousands of dollars to obtain a patent and may take several years to be approved. Patents protect an inventor’s right to control the production or reproduction of the invention, how it is used, and how it is distributed. In Kansas, both copyrights and patents provide important protections that are critical to protecting a person’s intellectual property rights. They are both important forms of intellectual property, but each has its own unique features and purpose.

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What is the difference between a copyright and a patent?

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