Copyrights safeguard original creative works such as books, movies, songs, paintings, photos, web content, and choreography. Trademarks protect business names, product names, slogans, and logos, helping customers differentiate between brands.

Registering your trademark grants you robust nationwide protection and the right to pursue a federal lawsuit against anyone who infringes on it.

Anyone can use the ™ symbol for their trademark, but it doesn’t offer protection. The ® symbol indicates your mark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), granting you all the legal protections associated with it.

A utility patent protects the functionality of an invention, while a design patent safeguards its appearance. Some inventions may qualify for both design and utility patents if both the design and function are unique, and the design does not impact the function.

A provisional patent application secures your rights to an invention for up to a year, providing time to refine it or finalize your utility patent application. It effectively reserves your spot with the USPTO.