What is the difference between a trademark, patent, and copyright?
A trademark, patent, and copyright are all intellectual property protections. They are all used to protect an individual’s or organization’s intellectual and creative work. However, each provides different types of protection. A trademark is a sign or symbol used in commerce for a product or service. It is used to distinguish the product or service from other products and services of similar type. In Indiana, a trademark may be registered with the state or federal government. A patent is a grant from the government that provides the holder with exclusive rights to make, use, and sell an invention. It is typically obtained for inventions and products that have a useful purpose. In Indiana, a patent must be obtained from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A copyright is a form of protection provided to authors that prevent the unlawful reproduction or use of their work. Copyright holders are given exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and adapt the copyrighted work. In Indiana, a copyright is created when the work is created, but may be registered with the United States Copyright office. Overall, a trademark is used to protect a specific product or service, a patent is used to protect inventions and products, and a copyright is used to protect creative works. It is important to research and understand state and federal laws when deciding which type of intellectual property protection is right for your product or service.
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