Compare trademarks, copyrights, and patents to know exactly what you need.
Protects business and product names, logos, and slogans
For business and product owners
Attorney assistance available
No one else can use your trademark to sell similar products/services
You can file a federal lawsuit to stop competitors from using and profiting from your mark
Allows you to use the ® symbol and notify the public of your ownership
Can last forever, but must file maintenance forms at 5 years, 10 years, and every 10 years after that
Protects books, articles, plays, films, songs, photos, art, architectural works, software, etc.
For authors, artists, architects, and other creative professionals
Must be an actual piece of work, ideas alone cannot be registered
Attorney guidance available
Publicizes and helps prove your ownership
You can file a federal lawsuit against anyone who uses or profits from your work without permission
Typically lasts the creator's lifetime, plus 70 years (can't be renewed)
Temporarily protects your rights to an invention until you can file for a formal utility patent
For inventors who aren't ready to file for a utility patent
You can immediately start labeling your invention as "patent pending"
Attorney assistance available
Keeps others from getting rights to your invention before you're able to file a formal application
Saves a filing date with the USPTO
Lasts for one year (can't be renewed, but you can refile)
Protects inventions, including machines, manufactured goods, processes, and chemical formulas
For inventors
Attorney assistance included
Prevents others from making, using, or selling your invention without permission
Patents are considered property so you can sell or license yours
Lasts 20 years (can't be renewed)
Protects how a product looks
For inventors and designers
Attorney assistance included
Prevents others from making, using, or selling your design without permission
Patents are considered property so you can sell or license yours
Lasts 15 years (can't be renewed)
Protection type
Protects business and product names, logos, and slogans
For business and product owners
Attorney assistance available
No one else can use your trademark to sell similar products/services
You can file a federal lawsuit to stop competitors from using and profiting from your mark
Allows you to use the ® symbol and notify the public of your ownership
Can last forever, but must file maintenance forms at 5 years, 10 years, and every 10 years after that
Protects books, articles, plays, films, songs, photos, art, architectural works, software, etc.
For authors, artists, architects, and other creative professionals
Must be an actual piece of work, ideas alone cannot be registered
Attorney guidance available
Publicizes and helps prove your ownership
You can file a federal lawsuit against anyone who uses or profits from your work without permission
Typically lasts the creator's lifetime, plus 70 years (can't be renewed)
Temporarily protects your rights to an invention until you can file for a formal utility patent
For inventors who aren't ready to file for a utility patent
You can immediately start labeling your invention as "patent pending"
Attorney assistance available
Keeps others from getting rights to your invention before you're able to file a formal application
Saves a filing date with the USPTO
Lasts for one year (can't be renewed, but you can refile)
Protects inventions, including machines, manufactured goods, processes, and chemical formulas
For inventors
Attorney assistance included
Prevents others from making, using, or selling your invention without permission
Patents are considered property so you can sell or license yours
Lasts 20 years (can't be renewed)
Protects how a product looks
For inventors and designers
Attorney assistance included
Prevents others from making, using, or selling your design without permission
Patents are considered property so you can sell or license yours
Lasts 15 years (can't be renewed)