---
title: What is the difference between a copyright and a trademark?
description: Discover the difference between copyright and trademark in our latest blog post from Legal FAQs. Gain a firm understanding of each term and learn how they relate to protecting your intellectual property.
image: https://www.legalfaq.ai/hubfs/LegalFAQ/intellectual-property-legal-FAQs.jpg
---

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 March 24, 2023

# What is the difference between a copyright and a trademark?

![Picture of Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/hs-fs/hubfs/battis-mug.jpg?width=50&name=battis-mug.jpg) By  [Chris Battis](https://www.legalfaq.ai/faqs/author/chris-battis)  ·   1 minute read

As a lawyer, I can confirm that copyright and trademark are two different legal terms that protect different types of intellectual property.

Copyright law protects original works of authorship, such as literary, musical, and artistic works. Copyright protection grants the owner exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, and perform the protected work. Copyright protection is automatic as soon as a work is created and fixed in a tangible medium, such as recorded or written work, and registration with the Copyright Office is not required. However, registration can provide additional benefits, such as the ability to sue for infringement and statutory damages.

On the other hand, a trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that distinguishes the source of goods or services of one business from another. Trademarks can include logos, names, slogans, and jingles. The primary purpose of a trademark is to prevent confusion among consumers about the origin of goods or services. Trademark registration is possible through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the owner of a registered trademark has exclusive rights to use the mark in connection with specific goods or services.

It is important to note that while both copyright and trademark laws protect intellectual property, they provide different types of protection. Additionally, there may be limitations or exceptions to copyright and trademark protections, such as fair use or generic words that cannot be trademarked.

If you are creating or using intellectual property, it is best to consult with a licensed attorney to ensure that you are adequately protecting yourself and your property.

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