What is the difference between copyright and trademark law?
Copyright and trademark law are two different types of intellectual property law that are governed by state and federal laws. Copyright law protects artistic, literary, and musical works. It also covers software code, compilations, audio recordings and motion pictures. Copyright is the exclusive right to reproduce a work, publish a work, perform the work, display the work, create derivatives of the work, and/or market the work. Copyright protects the tangible expression of an idea, and not the idea itself. Trademark law, on the other hand, protects names, logos, slogans, or other visual symbols and nonverbal expressions that identify a business or product. Trademarks indicate to the consumer who has manufactured a product or who is marketing a certain product or service. Trademarks last as long as the proprietor of the mark continues to use it. In Rhode Island, the trademark laws are governed by the Uniform Trademark Law. This law is designed to protect and enforce the rights of the owners of trademarks from infringement. The law also prevents unfair competition and false advertising. The copyright laws of Rhode Island are governed by both state and federal laws. The Copyright Act of 1976 grants authors and creators the exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and sell their works. This allows owners of copyrighted material to control who can use their product and how it is used. In summary, copyright law protects the expression of an idea, while trademark law protects words, symbols, and other visual elements that identify the source of a product or service. Each type of law serves an important function in intellectual property law, helping to both protect and promote ideas.
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