Material provided in this guide is intended as a helpful resource.  Nothing in this guide should be construed as legal advice.  Please consult with legal counsel before taking an action that might constitute copyright infringement.

Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship as soon as an author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression.

Patent - protects the unique features of an invention

Trademark - protects a word, phrase, symbol of design, or a combination of, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others.

License - grants use of the work for a specified period of time, doesn't transfer ownership

Copyright encourages intellectual property.

Patents encourage innovation.

Trademarks protect a company image.