One of the most frequent mistakes business owners make when approaching Secure Mark USA is confusing the three main types of intellectual property. While they all offer protection, they guard very different assets. Using the wrong one is like trying to lock a door with a padlock when you need a deadbolt.
As discussed in our pillar guide, Trademark Registration is about source identification. It tells the consumer, "This product came from this specific company."
What it protects: Names, logos, slogans, and trade dress.
Duration: Can last forever, provided you continue to use it and file renewals.
Why it matters: It prevents brand dilution and consumer confusion.
Copyright protects original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium.
What it protects: Books, software code, website copy, music, photography, and architectural drawings.
Duration: Generally the life of the author plus 70 years.
The Overlap: Your logo is protected by a trademark, but the artistic drawing of that logo may also be protected by copyright. Secure Mark USA helps you navigate where these protections intersect.
If you have invented a new "way" of doing something a new engine, a chemical formula, or a unique manufacturing process you need a patent, not a trademark.
What it protects: Functional inventions and designs.
Duration: Usually 20 years for utility patents.
Feature | Trademark | Copyright | Patent |
Purpose | Brand Identity | Creative Works | Functional Inventions |
Governing Body | USPTO | Library of Congress | USPTO |
Best For | Business Names/Logos | Content/Art/Code | New Technology |
Expert Partner | Secure Mark USA | Legal Counsel | Patent Attorneys |
At Secure Mark USA, we specialize in the most critical asset for business growth: the Trademark. While patents protect what you make, trademarks protect who you are. In a world of copycats, "who you are" is often your only sustainable competitive advantage.
