What’s the difference between trade marks, copyrights, and patents?

Photo by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash

Words by Dr Martin Douglas Hendry

Introduction

Trade marks, copyright, and patents are all legal protections that can help businesses in the UK to protect their intellectual property (IP). These legal tools can be confusing, so it's important to understand the differences between them.

A trade mark is a recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies the products or services of a specific company. Trade marks can include words, phrases, logos, and even colors. They help to distinguish the products or services of one business from another and can be used to protect brand identity. In the UK, trade marks are registered with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

Copyright, on the other hand, is a legal protection that covers original works of art, literature, music, and other creative works. Copyright protects the expression of an idea, rather than the idea itself. In the UK, copyright is automatically granted to the creator of a work and does not require registration.

Finally, a patent is a legal protection that covers inventions. A patent grants the owner the exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a certain period of time. In the UK, patents are granted by the IPO and can be used to protect a wide range of inventions, from new technologies to medical treatments.

In summary, trade marks protect brand identity, copyrights protect creative works, and patents protect inventions. These legal tools are important for businesses in the UK to protect their IP and ensure that they are the only ones who can profit from their creations.

It's important for businesses to understand the differences between trade marks, copyright, and patents, as well as the benefits and limitations of each type of legal protection.

Trade marks

Trade marks can be a valuable asset for businesses, as they can help to build brand recognition and prevent others from using similar signs or designs that could cause confusion among consumers. However, trade marks must be renewed periodically, and it's up to the owner to enforce their trade mark rights if they feel that their trade mark is being infringed upon.

Copyright

Copyright, on the other hand, offers automatic protection for original creative works, but it can be difficult to enforce, especially if the work is used without permission in another country. In addition, copyright protection only lasts for a certain period of time, after which the work enters the public domain and can be used by anyone.

Patents

Patents, while offering potentially long-term protection for inventions, can be difficult and expensive to obtain. In order to obtain a patent, an invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious. The patent application process can be complex and time-consuming, and it's important to make sure that the invention is adequately described and claimed in the application.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trade marks, copyright, and patents are all important legal tools that businesses in the UK can use to protect their IP. Each type of protection offers its own benefits and limitations, and it's important for businesses to carefully consider which type of protection is best for their specific needs.

Need help with your IP? Get in touch with our specialist team today to find out how we can help protect what makes you unique.

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