---
title: What is the difference between a trademark and a copyright?
description: Discover the dissimilarities between trademark and copyright with Legal Faqs. Get insightful information on how these two types of legally granted rights differ from one another. Read more on our blog today.
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---

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 March 22, 2023

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

![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 provide legal advice on the differences between a **trademark** and a **copyright**.

A **trademark** is a symbol, design, word, or combination of those, that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services of one person or company from those of others. It serves as a form of protection for business logos, brand names, slogans, and even product packaging. A trademark is registered with the USPTO and can last indefinitely, as long as it is being used in commerce.

On the other hand, a **copyright** is a form of protection provided to authors, artists, and other creators of original creative works, such as literary works, music, photographs, and software. Copyright protection is automatically granted upon the creation of the work, and it prevents others from copying, distributing, or selling the work without the owner's permission. Copyright protection lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years after their death, provided that certain criteria are met.

In summary, the main difference between a trademark and a copyright is the kind of property being protected. Trademarks protect business identifiers, while copyrights protect creative works. Furthermore, trademarks need to be actively used in commerce to maintain their protection, while copyrights are protected automatically upon creation.

It is important to note that some works, such as logos and song lyrics, may be protected by both trademark and copyright laws. In addition, there may be limitations to the scope of protection provided by trademarks and copyrights, such as fair use and parody, which allow others to use the protected works in certain limited circumstances without permission.

If someone is in need of further action regarding a trademark or a copyright, I would recommend consulting with a licensed attorney experienced in intellectual property law to determine the best course of action.

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