What is the difference between a copyright and a patent?

In South Carolina, the difference between a copyright and a patent lies in the type of intellectual property they protect. A copyright protects creative works such as books, music, films, and art. Copyright prevents others from copying, distributing, or publicly performing the protected work without permission. Copyrights last for the lifetime of the creator, plus seventy years after their death. A patent is a type of intellectual property that protects inventions or processes. Patent protection prevents others from making, using, or selling the invention without permission. Unlike a copyright, a patent must be obtained by the inventor. Patents last for twenty years from the date of filing. In summary, a copyright protects creative works while a patent protects inventions or processes. For a copyright, permission is not required to create the work, whereas a patent must be obtained by the inventor. Furthermore, copyrights last for the lifetime of the author, plus seventy years, while patents are valid for twenty years from the date of filing.

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