The Differences between Copyright and Trademark

Like many things that are similar, it is easy to mistake copyright for trademark and vice versa. They may be Legalese but they are not as technical as you might think. In order to help clarify between the two, we partnered with DIYLaw and created this simple infographic that explains the difference Copyright and Trademark.

Intellectual property or intellectual ideas are created in the human mind. Patents, copyrights, or trademarks only protect the end result of the idea and not how the idea materializes. The design of a solar-powered smartphone may be patented but not the idea. Your story or the manuscript of a novel is copyrighted, not the idea of the book itself. When you start a new company, the logo is trademarked and not the idea of creating a logo.

Trademark protects a name, word, slogan, symbol, design, and/or image identifying a business or brand and distinguishing it from others in the same field. Business and product owners register a trademark to enhance their rights to a public notice of ownership. It includes anything used by the producer to distinguish his product from other competitive products in the market.  A trademark is anything that helps to identify the uniqueness of the brand and ensures its authenticity.

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