What is the difference between a trademark, patent, and copyright?
Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are all forms of intellectual property protection, but each type has different functions. A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the goods or services of one individual or company from another. For example, the famous “Nike swoosh” logo is a trademark. Trademarks protect the commercial interests of a business and can be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). A patent is a form of intellectual property that grants the right to a person or company to exclude others from making, using, selling, or importing an invention for a specified period of time. Patents are most often used to protect inventions such as new processes, machines, and chemical compositions. Patent rights are granted by the USPTO. Finally, a copyright is a form of protection that grants the author of an original work exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and publicly display the work. Copyright protection covers literary works, such as books, plays, poetry, music, songs, photographs, movies, and motion pictures. Copyright protection is granted by the United States Copyright Office. In conclusion, trademarks, patents, and copyrights are all forms of intellectual property protection that serve different purposes. To apply for any of these protections, Massachusetts residents must contact the USPTO or U.S. Copyright Office.
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