Trademark vs Copyright – What Does Your Business Need?
You have so much effort in starting a business in India, building a brand, developing products, and designing content. But have you given a thought about securing all of it? Many business owners overlook a crucial aspect — intellectual property rights. Two widely used securities that can be availed are Trademarks and Copyrights.
But the major question is — Trademark vs Copyright — which is the appropriate choice for your company? Here at Startup Portal Business Services, we realize just how critical it is to have your brand and creative content safeguarded. So let’s delve into what each of these protections will mean to you.
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a word, logo, mark, phrase, design, or combination of these which assists in identifying your goods or services. It informs individuals that a product or service is owned by you. Names such as Amul, Zomato, and Flipkart are examples of trademarks. These marks assist companies in being different in the market.
Trademark provides your company with identity. If you’ve developed a logo, brand name, or tagline — you need to get it registered. It safeguards you against others who can attempt to reproduce or abuse your brand name.
In India, Trademark Registration in Pune or any city can be comfortably performed with the aid of professionals like the staff at Startup Portal Business Services.
What is Copyright?
Copyright defends original artistic and literary material. These range from writings, paintings, and music to photographs, videos, software programs, and even websites. The minute you come up with an original work, copyright is automatically yours. Registering it legally, though, comes in handy in case of a dispute.
Suppose you authored a book or composed a jingle for your company — copyright allows you to say it’s your intellectual property and grants you legal rights over it.
Benefits of Trademarks and Copyrights:
Having your work or brand protected is like having your assets insured. You never know who might take your ideas. Here’s why having a trademark or copyright is beneficial:
Trademarks: They safeguard the originality of your brand. Trademarking your brand grants you exclusive control over your company name, logo, or motto. It helps in gaining credibility in the marketplace, gains consumers, and increases the value of your brand. You may even license your trademark or sell it at a handsome price.
Copyrights: They help safeguard your original work from misuse or plagiarism. Whether you’re a writer, designer, or software developer — copyright ensures that no one else can copy, sell, or reproduce your creation without permission.
Difference Between Trademark and Copyright:
Though both are IP rights, trademark and copyright are not the same.The key difference is in what each protects.
A trademark safeguards business identity — names, logos, slogans, or distinctive packaging. A copyright protects creative works like books, art, music, and software
Trademark requires registration for complete protection and expires after 10 years (renewable), whereas copyright is automatically provided and remains valid for the author’s lifetime plus 60 years.
Thus, businesses dealing in branding require trademarks, and creators who produce original material require copyrights.
When Do You Need a Trademark vs Copyright?
When You Need a Trademark?
A trademark is necessary if you have a distinctive business name, logo, slogan, or product name. It establishes your brand identity and provides you with legal rights to prevent others from imitating your business’s identity, so you can differentiate yourself in the market and establish a strong brand.
When You Need a Copyright?
Copyright is required if you produce original material like designs, books, music, or video. It safeguards your work against misuse and allows you to derive revenue by licensing your creative material. If you’re a company with a brand image that produces material, you may require a trademark for your brand image and copyright for your creative material, such as an online marketing company with a trademarked logo and copyrighted images.
What Are the Advantages of Protection?
Trademark or copyright, legal protection gives you peace of mind and control over your creations. It spares you from loss, confusion, and fraud. Here’s why it is important:
- You can lawfully prevent others from using your brand or work.
- It provides a business competitive advantage.
- Adds value to your business or personal brand
- Assists in securing investors or franchise partners
- You can license or sell your IP for income.
In short, it’s not protection alone — it’s growth and credibility as well.
How to Register in India?
Trademark Registration Process:
- Create a distinctive brand name or logo.
- Search for a trademark to see if it’s available.
- File the TM-A application with the Trademark Office.
- Obtain a TM number and use ™ with your brand.
- Once approved and without objections, your mark is registered, and you can use the ® symbol.
Time taken: 6 to 18 months
Duration of protection: 10 years (extendable)
Process of Copyright Registration:
- Put your original work in a fixed format.
- Fill up the online copyright application form.
- Submit documents and charges.
- Wait for the scrutiny period
- If no objection, you are given the registration certificate.
Time taken: 2 to 4 months
Duration of protection: Lifetime of creator + 60 years
To save time or errors, you can seek assistance from professional services such as Startup Portal Business Services, who take care of everything from documentation to filing and follow-up.
Startup Portal: Your Trademark and Copyright Registration Partner:
We at Startup Portal Business Services provide comprehensive support for Trademark Registration in Pune, copyright filing, and so on. We deal with startups, creators, and small businesses all over India.
Our services:
- End-to-end trademark search, filing, and renewal
- Copyright filing application and advisory
- Assistance with handling objections or office actions
- Economic packages and fast processing
With decades of experience and a skilled team, we make legal procedures simple, affordable, and speedy. You take care of your business, and we’ll take care of your IP protection.
Conclusion:
Knowing how to differentiate Trademark vs Copyright is the very beginning of your journey to securing your business or creative work. If your area of interest is branding, opt for a trademark; if your area of expertise is content creation, opt for copyright. If you engage in both, you require both kinds of protection. Don’t let your effort fall prey to exploitation—protect it today. Make Startup Portal Business Services your guide to this journey. Contact us for Trademark Registration in Pune, copyright assistance, and expert legal guidance — all in one place.