{"id":5008,"date":"2016-04-04T11:47:53","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/patent-definition-and-the-difference-between-copyrights-and.html"},"modified":"2024-12-09T03:46:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T08:46:00","slug":"patent-definition-and-the-difference-between-copyrights-and","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/patent-definition-and-the-difference-between-copyrights-and.html","title":{"rendered":"How Patents Differ From Copyrights and Trademarks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How Patents Differ From Copyrights and Trademarks <\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A patent is a property right granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that protects inventions and new processes. Copyright protects original works of authorship and artistic works in a tangible form. Trademarks (including service marks) protect the words, symbols, sounds, or logos used to identify the source of goods or services. Patents, copyrights, and trademarks are types of intellectual property. Registering your intellectual property stops its usage by other competitors.<\/p>\n

This FindLaw article explores how patents differ from trademark rights and copyrights.<\/p>\n

What is Intellectual Property?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The term "intellectual property<\/b><\/a>" refers to ideas and concepts that are unique and potentially valuable. These ideas range from a small business invention to an entrepreneur’s work of fiction. Intellectual property protection belongs to the person or small business that owns these ideas or concepts.<\/p>\n

If you own intellectual property, it means you have intellectual property rights to:<\/p>\n

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  1. Manufacture or license an invention<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. Use certain distinguishing marks on your packaging or commercials<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. Publish copies of creative works (such as sound recordings or books). Businesses and individuals also may license intellectual property from the owner without owning it such as a college licensing its logo<\/b><\/a> to a clothing company<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n


    \nThere are three types of intellectual property a small business owner needs to know. They include the following:<\/p>\n