What are the differences between Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights?
There are three main areas in Intellectual Property Law. As you mentioned, they are patents, trademarks, and copyrights. These laws are meant to protect consumers, businesses, artists or inventors. A patent is an official right that is used to protect the inventor of an original product or process. Once a person invents something, whether it be a machine, tool or process, that has a noticeable and original result, acquiring a patent can be very worthwhile. Once patented, an invention cannot be used by other parties , without explicit permission from the patent holder. If infringement occurs, and someone is illegally using a patented product or process, the patent holder has the right to seek compensation. A trademark is designed to protect both businesses and consumers. A trademark is a distinctive mark, logo, or symbol that is used to identify a product. For example, the large M on McDonalds’ signs is an example of a trademark. Because a customer associates a certain service or result
