Trademark, patent or copyright?
Answer in brief
A trademark protects a brand (names, logos, slogans); a patent protects an invention; a copyright protects an original creative work. One product can need all three.
Quick guide
| Protects | Right |
|---|---|
| Brand names, logos, slogans | Trademark |
| Inventions, processes, designs | Patent |
| Writing, music, art, code | Copyright |
More
See Best IP Law for terms and costs of each.
Sources for this entry
- USPTO — Trademark, patent, or copyright USPTO
The USPTO's explanation of how the three main types of intellectual property differ.
Practical guidance is original editorial content. Company-published figures are the company's own claims and are labeled as such.
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How the related websites connect
This is one of 19 coordinated Wysebridge references. The related sites answer neighboring questions and share the same publisher entity, Wysebridge. They are not independent endorsements.
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Cite or share this entry
Best Trademark Law Firms. “Trademark, patent or copyright?.” Wysebridge Reference. Content reviewed 9 November 2026.
https://besttrademarklawfirms.com/trademark-vs-patent-vs-copyright/