You created something great—protect it with the #1 brand in online IP protection

Trademark registration

Get exclusive rights to a name, symbol, or slogan that distinguishes your business.

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Trademark search

See if the name, symbol, or slogan you want to register is available.

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Trademark monitoring

Protect your brand by being alerted of potential infringements.

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Copyright registration

Keep others from using and profiting from your book, article, song, photo, art, etc.

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Provisional patent application

If you're not ready to file for a utility patent, buy time and get "patent pending" status.

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Utility patent

Prevent others from making, using, or selling your invention without your permission.

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Not sure what you need?

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  • Trademark registration

  • Trademark search

  • Trademark monitoring

  • Office action response PRO

Trademark, copyright, and patent: what's the difference?

We know intellectual property protection can seem complicated. We're here to make it simple.

Get the right intellectual property protection

See detailed comparison

Trademark

A name, slogan, or logo that distinguishes your product or service from competitors.

Name
Logo
Slogan

Start my trademark

Copyright

Keep your original creative work from being used without your consent.

Books

Songs

Photos

Art

Films

Articles

Software

and more

Start my copyright

Patent

Protects how your invention works, or the way your product looks.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a copyright and a trademark?

Copyrights protect original creative works, including books, movies, songs, paintings, photos, web content, and choreography. Trademarks protect business and product names, slogans, and logos to help customers tell brands apart.

What are the benefits of registering your trademark?

When you register your trademark, you get strong nationwide protection, and the right to file a federal lawsuit against anyone who copies it.

What's the difference between the ™ symbol and the ® symbol?

Anyone can use the ™ symbol on their trademark, but it doesn't protect it. The ® symbol means your mark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), giving you all the legal protections that come with it.

What's the difference between a utility patent and a design patent?

A utility patent protects how an invention works. A design patent protects how a product looks. Some inventions may qualify for design and utility patent protection, if both the design and the function are unique, and the design doesn't affect the function.

What does a provisional patent application do?

A provisional patent application protects your rights to your invention for up to a year, giving you time to perfect it and/or complete your application for a utility patent. It essentially holds your place in line with the USPTO.

Meet our customers

AGN Roots

"For us, we value partners that can turn complicated processes like submitting a trademark application to the USPTO into simple and intuitive workflows, LegalZoom does exactly that."

Adam Sisler, do-it-yourself trademark registration

Cavere

"LegalZoom was the one-stop solution for all of my business startup needs. They helped me quickly form my company so I could launch Cavere on Amazon in just three months! The trademark application process in particular was simple to complete. I am at peace knowing that my new brand is protected thanks to LegalZoom!"

Christopher Winston, attorney-led trademark registration customer

John B.

"LegalZoom made my experience easy and simple. Which you need when working on a third and fourth book. LegalZoom gives clear answers and the confidence that you have been heard and your work is protected. Don't trust those websites that promise cheaper services that seem to always need more information. LegalZoom provides what everyone is looking for, Peace of Mind!"

John Bonnell, copyright customer

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