Three ways to protect intellectual property
Creators and business owners have more than one option for safeguarding what they make. Trademarks, patents, and copyrights each cover a different kind of intellectual property, so it helps to know which one applies to your situation.
Trademarks: identifying your brand
A trademark lets people recognize your products and services. After registration, you hold the exclusive right to use particular words, phrases, logos, or images to distinguish your goods or services from those of other businesses.
Patents: protecting inventions
A patent covers inventions and ideas. It gives the inventor exclusive rights, so nobody else can make, use, or profit from the invention without the inventor's permission.
Keep in mind that a bare idea can't be patented. It has to take shape as a tangible invention, product, device, or process that offers a new solution to a problem.
Copyright: safeguarding creative works
Copyright applies to original creative works such as art, literature, and music. Without the creator's permission, others cannot use, reproduce, or distribute the work. Copyright covers:
- 2D or 3D artwork,
- photographs, graphic designs, and other creative formats,
- songs, music, and sound recordings,
- books, manuscripts, and other written works,
- plays, movies, shows, and other performing arts.
Why registration matters
Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are all key tools for protecting your intellectual property. In a global economy, having secured rights to control and benefit from your creations is essential, and registering your property is an important step toward protecting what belongs to you.