Trademark vs Copyright: Which Do You Need to Protect Your Business in the U.S.?

When building a business in the United States, protecting your intellectual assets is crucial. But do you need a trademark, a copyright, or both? While often confused, each offers different types of protection, and understanding how they work can make a big difference for your company.

What is a Trademark?

A trademark protects elements that identify your brand, such as:

• Business name.
• Logo.
• Slogans or advertising phrases.
• Unique designs associated with your business.

When to Use It:

‍If you want to differentiate your products or services in the market, a trademark ensures no one else can use them without your permission.

Key Benefits of a Trademark in the U.S.:

• Grants exclusive rights to use your brand commercially nationwide.
• Prevents other businesses from using similar elements that may confuse consumers.
• Increases the value of your business by strengthening its market identity.

What is a Copyright?

A copyright protects creative works, such as:

• Texts, books, and articles.
• Music, videos, and photographs.
• Software and digital content.

When to Use It:

‍If you have an original creation you don’t want others to reproduce, distribute, or use without authorization, copyright is the tool you need.

Key Benefits of Copyright in the U.S.:

• Provides exclusive reproduction and distribution rights.
• Automatically protects your work upon creation.
• Ideal for securing creative assets like social media content or ad designs.

Trademark vs Copyright: Main Differences

Which Do You Need for Your Business?

It depends on what you want to protect:

• Use a trademark if you want to protect your company’s visual identity.
• Use a copyright if you have original content like blogs, music, or videos as part of your strategy.
• Use both if your business requires a strong identity and protected creative content.

Steps to Register a Trademark or Copyright in the U.S.

Registering a Trademark

1. Search the USPTO database to verify that your brand is unique.
2. Submit your application online via the USPTO portal.
3. Pay the applicable fee.
4. Wait for approval, which may take 6 to 12 months.

Registering a Copyright

1. Access the U.S. Copyright Office portal.
2. Complete the registration form and upload a copy of your work.
3. Pay the fee.
4. Receive the official certificate, usually within 6 months.

Why Protect Your Business in the United States?

The U.S. is the ideal market to expand your company, but its high competitiveness makes protecting your intellectual property essential. Having an LLC or registered corporation allows you to operate formally and benefit from a robust legal framework to protect your assets.

At Prodezk, we help you:

• Register your business in the U.S.
• Advise on obtaining trademarks and copyrights.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements to operate in the U.S. market.

How Can We Help You?

At Prodezk, we understand that every business is unique. Our team provides personalized guidance to choose the best protection strategy, ensuring your ideas are secure as you expand your market.

Contact us and protect your business in the United States!