Trademark vs. Copyright: Don’t Confuse the Monsters!

What’s spooky? Not knowing the difference between copyright and trademark.

So, you’ve got a band. You wrote a song, and you’ve got a cool band name. Or maybe you run a boutique with a cool name, and you make art you sell in it. Which one is protected by copyright and which one is protected by trademarks?

It’s an easy mistake to make! Your song, lyrics, and album art are protected by copyright. Same with most art you make. But your band name and logo, or your boutique name and logo? Those are protected by trademarks.

Copyright protects the creative work itself. Trademarks protect the brand that sells the work. They are two different monsters you need to tame to protect your creative empire.

Intellectual property is one of the most terrifyingly useful tools you have. If you’re a creator or other entrepreneur ready to build a frighteningly powerful brand and business, you need to know how to use it. You don’t have to face the darkness alone, though.

I help entrepreneurs across the U.S. make smart, legally sound decisions about their intellectual property. I’m an attorney in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, but I serve intellectual property clients nationwide.

If you’d like to consult with me, you can use my contact form or book a consultation online at kingpatentlaw.com or by calling my office at 312-596-2222 or 217-714-8558.

Please check out the other posts and pages on my website for more information on copyright, trademarks, and other intellectual property and business law issues. I’m also on most major podcast platforms as “Know Your Rights: Your Intellectual Property and Business Law Playbook” and on most social media as @kingpatentlaw.

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Julie King

Julie is a licensed patent attorney and the founding attorney at King Patent Law, PLLC, with over 25 years of legal experience. Her practice focuses on intellectual property, business, and estate planning, and she's passionate about helping clients use IP tools to protect and grow their businesses. When she's not helping clients, you can find her at a live rock show, watching a horror movie, or playing the guitar (badly).
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This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.

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