What is the difference between a copyright and a patent?

A copyright and a patent are two different types of legal protections offered for creative works and inventions. In North Carolina, copyright and patent law originate from the United States Copyright and Patent Office, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. A copyright is a form of intellectual property protection for works of authorship, such as books, musical compositions, plays, choreographed works, paintings, photographs and other creative works. The author of a copyrighted work has the sole right to reproduce, distribute, perform and display the work, as well as create derivative works from it. Copyright protection in North Carolina lasts for the author’s lifetime, plus seventy years. In contrast, a patent is a form of intellectual property protection for inventions such as machines, processes, or chemical composition. A patent gives the inventor exclusive control over the patented invention for a limited period of time. In North Carolina, a patent can last up to 20 years from the date of filing. In summary, the main difference between a copyright and a patent is that a copyright is a form of protection for creative works, while a patent is a form of protection for inventions. Copyrights in North Carolina last for the author’s life plus seventy years, while patents can last up to twenty years.

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