---
title: What is the difference between a trademark and a copyright?
description: Discover the differences between trademarks and copyrights with expert insights from Legal FAQs. Protect your intellectual property with clarity and confidence - read our latest blog post now!
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 March 23, 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 explain the difference between a trademark and a copyright. A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of goods or services of one party from those of others. A trademark is used to protect the commercial identity of a business and can include logos, brand names, and slogans.

In contrast, a copyright protects original works of authorship such as literary, artistic, and musical works. These works can include books, articles, photographs, software, and films. Copyright owners have exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and perform their works and can prevent others from using their works without permission.

One key difference between trademarks and copyrights is the scope of protection. Trademarks focus on protecting the commercial identity of a business, while copyrights protect original works of authorship. Additionally, trademarks are registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office, while copyrights are registered with the US Copyright Office.

It's also worth noting that the duration of protection for trademarks and copyrights is different. Trademarks can provide an indefinite duration of protection, as long as the mark is used in commerce and registration is maintained, while copyrights have a limited duration.

In conclusion, trademarks and copyrights serve different purposes and provide different types of protection. If you need to protect the commercial identity of your business, you should consider obtaining a trademark. If you have created an original work of authorship, you should consider obtaining a copyright. If you have specific questions about trademarks or copyrights, or need legal advice related to either, it's important to seek the advice of a licensed attorney.

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