What is the difference between a patent and a trade mark?

Patents and trademarks are both types of intellectual property law which can provide legal protection to inventors and businesses in Washington state. These two forms of intellectual property are distinct from one another in the types of protection they provide. A patent is a type of exclusive right granted to an inventor that protects their invention from being copied or used by someone else without their permission. Patents can be obtained by inventors in Washington through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and will be valid for a certain period of time. In contrast, a trademark is a type of property that identifies and distinguishes goods or services of one business from those of others. Trademarks also provide protection to businesses from competitors who could try to benefit from their success by copying their business’s products or services. A trademark does not require a registration process and is often used in Washington to identify a business’s logo, name, or slogan. Therefore, a patent protects an invention from unauthorized use, while a trademark identifies a business’s products or services and prevents confusion between similar companies. Both forms of intellectual property law are important for protecting businesses and inventors and should be taken seriously in Washington.

Related FAQs

What is the process of obtaining a copyright?
What is an invention?
What is a license?
What is the notice of infringement under the DMCA?
What is copyright law?
What is a trade secret violation?
What is the difference between copyright and industrial design protection?
How can I find out if a trademark is available for registration?
What is the difference between copyright law and trademark law?
Are there any exceptions to patent protection?

What is the difference between a patent and a trade mark?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts