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What is the difference between a copyright and a trademark?

On Behalf of | Jul 25, 2022 | Intellectual Property |

As a Connecticut business owner, you understand how important it is to have the appropriate legal protections in place for your company. Through certain steps, you can protect your company against the unauthorized use of your intellectual property and more. You will find it beneficial to take the time to learn about the legal options you have regarding the protection of original material, IP, branding, images and much more.

You will want to be familiar with the terms copyright and trademark. These are two ways you can protect the best interests of your business and shield your competitive advantage. These two things also offer you the ability and right to take legal action in case of an unauthorized use of your property, branding, intellectual property and more.

Which one is right for you?

There are distinct differences between trademarks and copyrights, and being familiar with them can help you understand which choices are ideal for the specific types of property you are trying to protect. The differences between copyrights and trademarks include the following:

  • Copyright — This protects original works, and it is automatic upon the creation of those works. This includes artwork, many forms of writing, research, movies, computer software, architecture and more. Things that are intangible, such as a spoken speech not written down, do not receive copyright coverage.
  • Trademark — Trademarks offer protection for intellectual property, such as branding, images, logos, business names, slogans and more. Essentially, trademarks apply to anything that identifies a company or brands a business. A trademark is distinct from a service mark.

The protection of your property is essential. Just like you would have insurance to protect your storefront, you will benefit from having the right protections in place to shield your intangible property as well. You will also benefit from knowing how to react in case of an unauthorized use of your protected property.

Knowledgeable insight is crucial

As a business owner, it is in your interests to do everything possible to preserve your property rights and protect your competitive advantage. If you are unsure of how copyrights and trademarks could benefit you or how you can act in case of a theft of your property, it may help to first seek an assessment of your case from a professional with experience in these matters. This will provide you with an understanding of what steps will be best for your business.