What's the difference between copyright and trademark?
Copyright and trademark are different. The table below explains the main differences:
Copyright | Trademark | |
What can be protected? | Original artistic, literary and dramatic works such as logos, websites, songs, music recordings, lyrics, photos, books, training & course materials, product artwork , packaging artwork, drawings, paintings, sculptures, 3d and 2d artwork. poems, scripts, computer software, apps, and dramatic works. | Trading Names, slogans and logos. They do not necessarily have to be original works. |
Registration required? | No but you WILL have to have indisputably and credibly prove that the work is yours if there is a copyright dispute. | Yes, apply through UK government. International trademarks must be registered with individual countries. The EU can be registered as a block. |
Registration process? | Complete the 2 minute registration form on our Register page, then upload your work. | Research – apply – trademark examination – opposition period – approval. |
If I register a logo that includes a name, is the name also protected? | No. Only the graphic design of the logo is protected. You cannot protect a name using ProtectMyWork.com. | No. You must register two separate trademarks to protect both the name and logo and pay two sets of registration fees. |
How long does it take? | With ProtectMyWork.com the process is immediate and automated. | Up to 6 months. |
How much does it cost? | £41.65 (ex. VAT) per year subscription fee. membership fee with ProtectMyWork.com. | UK Trademarks start at £170. International prices vary. |
International protection? | Yes, 179 countries around the world. | No, only in the country that you have a trademark registered. |
Publicly viewable on the internet? | No. | Yes, once approved by the IPO, your logo design will be viewable on multiple government websites by anyone in the world, even though the trademark is not protected in that country. |
Is my logo protected in all industry classes? | Yes. | "It’s important you choose the correct class and terms, as your trade mark will only be protected for the goods and / or services you select in your application. You cannot add extra goods or services after you have applied -" Source UK Government IPO website. There are additional costs for additional classes, and currently a choice of about 45 classes. |
How long does protection last? | As a general rule: Authors lifetime, plus 70 years. | Usually 10 years. |
What symbols can I use on my logo? | © ™ | ® |