What is the difference between copyright and trademark?

Copyright and trademark are two distinct legal concepts that often get confused. Copyright law is designed to protect the rights of creators of original works such as books, films, artwork, and music. Copyright law gives the copyright holder exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and publicly perform the work. Copyright protection for an original work begins the moment it is created and does not require any registration or other official action. Trademark law is intended to protect businesses from having their product names, logos, and other signs used by other businesses without permission. A trademark can be a name, logo or slogan used to identify products and services. The rights associated with a trademark can help to differentiate a business’s products or services from those of its competitors. Unlike copyright, a trademark must be formally registered in order to receive protection in North Dakota. Registration of a trademark will provide the owner with exclusive rights to use the mark in marketing and distributing their products and services.

Related FAQs

How much do I have to change someone else's work to make it my own?
Can copyright law protect me from someone using my artwork without permission?
What is copyright infringement?
Is fan fiction protected by copyright law?
How can I get permission to use a copyrighted work?
What is copyright registration and how do I do it?
How do I file a copyright infringement lawsuit?
Is copyright registration required to protect my work?
Does copyright law cover open-source software?
Is copyright protection automatic?

What is the difference between copyright and trademark?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts