What is the difference between a trademark, patent, and copyright?

Trademarks, patents, and copyrights protect intellectual property under different levels of law. In Maryland, all three types of intellectual property protection are governed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). A trademark is a type of intellectual property protection that helps distinguish the goods or services of one company or individual from another. Trademarks are typically used to protect symbols, words, or phrases that identify goods or services provided by the trademark holder. A trademark can also be a sound, scent, or even a color associated with a company or individual. This type of protection is usually granted for a period of 10 years, after which it must be renewed. A patent is a type of intellectual property protection that grants the patent holder exclusive rights to an invention. This type of protection is usually granted for a period of 20 years, and it provides the patent holder exclusive rights to make, use, and sell the invention in the country in which the patent was granted. A copyright is a type of intellectual property protection that grants the copyright holder exclusive rights to a work. This type of protection is typically granted for the life of the author plus 70 years, and it grants the copyright holder exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, or display the work. The main difference between the three types of intellectual property protection is the nature of the protection offered. Trademarks protect symbols, words, or phrases associated with a company or individual. Patents protect inventions, and copyrights protect works.

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