Software Licencing And Copyright Questions
The main difference between a copyright and a trademark is the type of intellectual property they protect.
A copyright is a legal protection granted to the original creators of literary, artistic, or intellectual works, such as books, music, movies, or software. It gives the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, perform, and modify their work. Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself, and it is automatically granted to the creator upon the creation of the work.
On the other hand, a trademark is a legal protection granted to a word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination thereof that distinguishes the source of goods or services from others in the marketplace. Trademarks are used to identify and differentiate brands, products, or services. They help consumers recognize and associate certain qualities or characteristics with a particular brand. Trademarks need to be registered with the appropriate government authority to obtain legal protection, and they can be renewed indefinitely as long as they are actively used and defended.
In summary, copyrights protect original creative works, while trademarks protect brands and their associated goods or services.