What is the difference between a patent and a trademark?

A patent and a trademark are two distinct forms of intellectual property laws established to protect creative works from unauthorized use and dissemination. In California and the United States, they are both governed by the federal government, but they are very different. A patent is a form of legal protection granted to inventors or creators of new or novel inventions. It gives the inventor or creator exclusive rights to the invention, including the right to manufacture, use, or sell the invention for a certain period of time. In addition, a patent also prevents others from making, using, or selling the invention without the inventor’s permission. On the other hand, a trademark is a type of identification symbol associated with a product or service. It can be a word, phrase, logo, or other unique symbol that serves to identify a business and products or services provided by that business. A trademark is meant to protect the distinctive identity of a brand from unauthorized use by competitors. It also allows the trademark owner to take legal action against any person who attempts to use the trademark without consent. In summary, patents protect inventions and trademarks protect brands. While both are protected by federal law, a patent protects the exclusive rights of an inventor over the invention, while a trademark protects the unique identity of a brand from unauthorized use by competitors.

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