Patent
Utility, design, or plant patents protect inventions and improvements
to existing inventions. Inventions must be "things that have purpose"
and not ideas or names. For example, I would patent my invention of an
improved car tire that never goes flat.
Trademark
Trademarks are words, names, symbols, devices and images that
represent products, goods, or services.
Trademarks identify and promote different brands or services. For
example, I would trademark register the service name of my catering
business, Quickie Caterers. Also, I would trademark register the brand
name of a cookie that I manufacture and sell, Fluffy Not Stuffy
Cookies.
Copyright
Copyrights protect the expression of ideas in literary, artistic and
musical works. For example, I would copyright register all the books
and articles that I have written. Also, I would copyright register all
the paintings that I have painted.
Can I Combine Intellectual Property Protection?
You can use all three types of intellectual property protection
together if necessary. For example, I would patent my invention of an
improved car tire, a car tire that never goes flat. I would also
trademark register the brand name of my invention, the Tireless Tire.
I would copyright register the instruction manual that I wrote that
explains how to take care of a Tireless Tire.
Do I Need To Hire A Lawyer
Filing a patent application is very hard and complex. Filing a
trademark application is not easy. Filing for copyright protection is
the easiest. Patent offices will not assist you in the preparation of
applications, however, they do provide you with some instruction and
guides. If you are ready conduct any intellectual property activity as
a beginner you are strongly advised to contact a registered patent
attorney or agent. |
