How do copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets differ?
• Copyright • Protects original works of expression, such as fine arts, writing, music, photography and cinema by preventing people from copying or commercially exploiting these works without the permission of the copyright holder. • Copyrights laws do not protect names, titles or short phrases (Trademarks) • Copyrights obtained through the United States Copyright Office (http://www.loc.gov/copyright/) • Trademarks • Trademarks protect distinctive words, phrases, logos, symbols, slogans and any other devices used to identify and distinguish products or services in the marketplace • Trademarks obtained through the United States Patent and Trademark office (http://www.uspto.gov) • Trade Secrets • Any formula, pattern, physical device, idea, process,compilation of information or other information that both provides the owner of the information with a competitive advantage in the marketplace, and is treated in a way that can reasonably be expected to prevent the public or competitors from
