What is the difference between copyright and patent protection?

Copyright and patent protection are two forms of intellectual property law in the state of Virginia. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, such as literature, music, movies, and artwork. It gives the copyright owner the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, or create derivative works from the original work. This protection typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. Patent protection is designed to protect inventions. It gives the patent owner the exclusive right to make, use, and sell the invention. A patent can be issued for any invention that is new, useful, and nonobvious. This protection typically lasts for 20 years from the date the patent is filed. The main difference between copyright and patent protection is the nature of the work that is being protected. Copyright law protects works of authorship, while patent law protects inventions. Additionally, the length of protection for each type of law is different. Copyright protection typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, while patent protection typically lasts for 20 years from the date the patent is filed.

Related FAQs

What are the steps in obtaining a patent?
How do I protect my invention from being copied?
What is the difference between copyright and patent protection?
What are the benefits of registering a trademark?
How do I register a copyright?
Are there any exceptions to trademark infringement laws?
What is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?
What is data protection?
What is the purpose of the TRIPS Agreement?
What is the recording industry’s position on intellectual property rights?

What is the difference between copyright and patent protection?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts