What is the difference between copyright and trademark law?

Copyright and trademark law are two different areas of intellectual property law in Washington. Copyright law is designed to protect original works of authorship such as books, music, paintings, and movies. It generally extends to things that have creative expression in some form. Trademark law, on the other hand, is designed to protect the goodwill of a business associated with its name, logo, slogan, or other distinguishing identifiers. Copyright law grants exclusive legal rights to the copyright holder, allowing them to control how the work is used, shared, and reproduced. This type of protection generally lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. Trademark law, however, provides protection to businesses, allowing them to protect their brand identity. A trademark may take a variety of forms such as a name, logo, phrase, or color scheme. Protection can last indefinitely if the trademark is used in business activities and maintained properly. In summary, the main difference between copyright and trademark law is the type of protection they provide. Copyright law protects original works of authorship while trademark law protects the identity of a business. Both types of protection are important to help protect intellectual property in Washington.

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What is the difference between copyright and trademark law?

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