Written by NotALawyer Legal AI · Reviewed by External Legal AI · Published April 7, 2026 · Last reviewed June 26, 2026
Made something worth protecting — a name, logo, invention, software, book, or process? The protection you need depends on what you made. Here are the four main types of intellectual property (IP) protection and when each applies. This is legal information, not legal advice.
A trademark gives you exclusive rights to use a mark on your goods or services. Using it in commerce earns some protection on its own. Federal registration with the USPTO adds far stronger, nationwide protection.
Copyright exists automatically when you create an original work — writing, art, music, code, photos. Registering with the U.S. Copyright Office is inexpensive ($45–$65) and lets you sue for damages.
A patent gives you exclusive rights to an invention for 20 years. It is the strongest protection for an invention, but expensive ($5,000–$15,000+) and slow to obtain.
Formulas, processes, customer lists, and proprietary methods stay protected only while you keep them secret. Use NDAs, access controls, and employee agreements to lock them down.
Disclosing an invention publicly before filing can bar a patent. Ignoring someone who uses your trademark can weaken your claim. Acting early preserves your options, and a professional can flag deadlines specific to your situation.
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NotALawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice.