What is the difference between copyright and trademark law?

Copyright and trademark law are two forms of intellectual property law in Louisiana that protect the creative works of authors and inventors. Copyright law gives an author control over the use and distribution of their literary or artistic works. It covers things such as books, songs, movies, photographs, and artwork. Copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, after which the work enters the public domain. Trademark law protects symbols, words, designs, and other indicators of a business or organization, like its name or logo. This is an important tool for distinguishing a product or service from its competitors. It also shows the public that a particular service or product is of a certain quality. Trademark protection can remain in effect indefinitely, as long as the business or organization continues to use it. While copyright law protects the creative works of an author, trademark law protects a business’s or organization’s identity. Copyright law lets authors control how their work is used and distributed, while trademark law prevents others from using the same or similar indicators of a business to confuse the public or harm the business’s reputation.

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