What is the difference between copyright and patent protection?

Copyright and patent protection are two separate forms of intellectual property law that protect different kinds of intellectual property in South Carolina. Copyright protection applies to original works of authorship such as books, music, and software. Copyright protection gives the creator exclusive rights to reproduce the work, distribute copies, publicly perform the work, and create derivative works of the original work. Patent protection, on the other hand, applies to inventions and tangible products such as machines, drugs, and processes. Patent protection gives the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, and sell the invention. Patent protection includes the right to file a lawsuit for damages against infringers. The main difference between copyright and patent protection is that copyright protection applies to original works of authorship and patent protection applies to inventions and tangible products. Additionally, copyright protection typically lasts for a much shorter amount of time than patent protection. Copyright protection typically lasts the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. Patent protection typically lasts 20 years from the date that the patent was filed.

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What is the difference between copyright and patent protection?

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