What is the difference between copyright and trademark law?

Copyright and trademark law are two areas of media law in Washington that are often confused. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, such as books, songs, and movies, while trademark law protects words, phrases, designs, and symbols that are associated with a particular product or service. Copyright law grants authors the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display their work, as well as to create derivative works from their original work. It also gives authors the exclusive right to license the use of their material to others. Copyright lasts for the life of the author plus an additional seventy years after the author’s death. Trademark law, on the other hand, protects distinctive brands, logos, and symbols that identify a company or product to consumers. It can also protect the appearance or sound of a product or slogan. To obtain trademark protection, the mark must be used in commerce and must not be descriptive or generic. Trademarks generally have an indefinite duration as long as they are continuously used. In summary, copyright protects works of authorship while trademarks protect words, symbols, slogans, and designs used to identify a product or service. Copyright lasts for the life of the author plus seventy years after the author’s death, while trademarks have an indefinite duration as long as they are used in commerce.

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