The
term “trademark” is often used to refer to both trademarks and service marks. A
trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and
distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others. A service mark is a word, phrase, symbol,
and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of a service rather
than goods. Trademarks are granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO").
When
you hear or see the term patent, think of invention. A patent is a property right relating to an
invention for a limited period of time.
Patents are also granted by the USPTO and are in
exchange for public disclosure of the invention.
Copyrights
protect works of authorship, such as writings, music, and works of art that
have been tangibly expressed. For
example, it protects the oil painting, operatic symphony, books, and poetry.
