Copyright vs. Patent: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on December 28, 2023
Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a Patent grants exclusive rights to an inventor for a new, useful invention.
Key Differences
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Patents, on the other hand, are a form of protection that grants an inventor exclusive rights to make, use, sell, and distribute an invention for a certain period.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Copyright covers literary, dramatic, musical, and certain other intellectual works, both published and unpublished, protecting the way a creative work is expressed rather than its content. In contrast, a patent protects new inventions or a technical solution to a problem, encompassing a wide range of items including processes, machines, manufactures, and compositions of matter.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
The duration of copyright protection varies depending on the type of work but generally lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. Patents are granted for a limited time, typically 20 years from the filing date of the application, after which the invention enters the public domain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Copyright protection is automatically secured upon creation of a work that is fixed in a tangible form of expression. Patents, however, require a detailed application process, including proof of the invention's novelty, non-obviousness, and utility.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Copyright grants the author exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, or license the work. Patent rights, conversely, allow the inventor to exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention for a limited period in exchange for public disclosure of the invention.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Type of Work
Literary, musical, artistic, and certain other works of authorship.
Inventions, including processes, machines, and compositions of matter.
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Dec 28, 2023
Protection Granted
The expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves.
The functionality and design of an invention.
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Dec 28, 2023
Duration
Life of author plus 70 years.
Typically 20 years from the filing date.
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Dec 28, 2023
Requirements
Automatic upon creation and fixation in a tangible medium.
Requires a detailed application, proving novelty and utility.
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Dec 28, 2023
Rights Conferred
Reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and license the work.
Exclude others from making, using, selling the invention.
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Dec 28, 2023
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Copyright and Patent Definitions
Copyright
Legal right granting the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution.
The author copyrighted her novel to prevent unauthorized copying.
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Dec 14, 2023
Patent
A grant made by a government that confers upon the creator of an invention the sole right to make, use, and sell that invention for a set period of time.
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Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
Protection for creative works fixed in a tangible medium.
Copyrighting his painting ensured that no one could legally replicate it without permission.
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Dec 14, 2023
Copyright
Intellectual property law that protects the expression of ideas.
The filmmaker obtained a copyright for his script to safeguard his creative expression.
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Dec 14, 2023
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Copyright
A form of protection for authors of "original works of authorship."
After writing a unique piece of music, the composer immediately sought copyright protection.
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Dec 14, 2023
Copyright
Rights system designed to protect the rights of creators in their works.
The photographer copyrighted his latest collection to control how his photos were used and distributed.
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Dec 14, 2023
Copyright
The legal right granted to an author, composer, playwright, publisher, or distributor to exclusive publication, production, sale, or distribution of a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
Of or relating to a copyright
Copyright law.
A copyright agreement.
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Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
(uncountable) The right by law to be the entity which determines who may publish, copy and distribute a piece of writing, music, picture or other work of authorship.
Copyright is a separate legal area from trademarks.
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Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
(countable) Such an exclusive right as it pertains to one or more specific works.
The artist lost the copyrights to her songs when she signed the contract.
The images are still copyright of the original artist.
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Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
To obtain or secure a copyright for some literary or other artistic work.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Relating to or being a nonprescription drug or other medical preparation that is protected by a trademark.
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Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
The right of an author or his assignee, under statute, to print and publish his literary or artistic work, exclusively of all other persons. This right may be had in maps, charts, engravings, plays, and musical compositions, as well as in books.
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Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
A document granting exclusive right to publish and sell literary or musical or artistic work
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
To invent, originate, or be the proprietor of (an idea, for example).
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Dec 13, 2023
Copyright
Secure a copyright on a written work;
Did you copyright your manuscript?
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
An official document granting an appointment, privilege, or right, or some property or title; letters patent.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
A specific grant of ownership of a piece of real property; a land patent.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
(by extension) A product in respect of which a patent (sense 1.2.2) has been obtained.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
A characteristic or quality that one possesses; in particular (hyperbolic) as if exclusively; a monopoly.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
(gambling) The combination of seven bets on three selections, offering a return even if only one bet comes in.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
To (successfully) register (a new invention) with a government agency to obtain the sole privilege of its manufacture, sale, and use for a specified period.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
To obtain (over a piece of real property) a specific grant of ownership.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
To be closely associated or identified with (something); to monopolize.
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Patent
(baking) Of flour: fine, and consisting mostly of the inner part of the endosperm of the grain from which it is milled.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
(medicine) Open, unobstructed; specifically, especially of the ductus arteriosus or foramen ovale in the heart, having not closed as would have happened in normal development.
She has a patent ductus arteriosus that will require surgery to close.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Of an infection: in the phase when the organism causing it can be detected by clinical tests.
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Patent
Especially of a document conferring some privilege or right: open to public perusal or use.
Letters patent
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
(botany) Of a branch, leaf, etc.: outspread; also, spreading at right angles to the axis.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
To which someone has, or seems to have, a claim or an exclusive claim; also, inventive or particularly suited for.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Open; expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest; public; conspicuous.
He had received instructions, both patent and secret.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Open to public perusal; - said of a document conferring some right or privilege; as, letters patent. See Letters patent, under 3d Letter.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Appropriated or protected by letters patent; secured by official authority to the exclusive possession, control, and disposal of some person or party; patented; as, a patent right; patent medicines.
Madder . . . in King Charles the First's time, was made a patent commodity.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Spreading; forming a nearly right angle with the steam or branch; as, a patent leaf.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
A letter patent, or letters patent; an official document, issued by a sovereign power, conferring a right or privilege on some person or party.
Four other gentlemen of quality remained mentioned in that patent.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
The right or privilege conferred by such a document; hence, figuratively, a right, privilege, or license of the nature of a patent.
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
To grant by patent; to make the subject of a patent; to secure or protect by patent; as, to patent an invention; to patent public lands.
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Make open to sight or notice;
His behavior has patented an embarrassing fact about him
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
(of a bodily tube or passageway) open; affording free passage;
Patent ductus arteriosus
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
Clearly apparent or obvious to the mind or senses;
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields
Evident hostility
Manifest disapproval
Patent advantages
Made his meaning plain
It is plain that he is no reactionary
In plain view
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Dec 13, 2023
Patent
A government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period.
She received a patent for her innovative kitchen appliance, granting her exclusive manufacturing rights.
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Dec 14, 2023
Patent
Exclusive rights granted for an invention, a product or process providing a new way of doing something.
The inventor patented his new water filtration system to secure the market.
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Dec 14, 2023
Patent
Legal document granting the holder exclusive rights to an invention.
After developing a new software algorithm, the company filed for a patent.
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Dec 14, 2023
Patent
Intellectual property right relating to inventions.
The pharmaceutical company's patent on the new drug prevented others from selling it for 20 years.
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Dec 14, 2023
Patent
Protection for inventions, granting the inventor the right to exclude others from making the invention.
The engineer's patent on the robotic technology gave him a competitive edge in the industry.
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Dec 14, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is Copyright?
Legal protection for original works of authorship, like books and music.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Is registration required for Copyright?
No, it's automatic upon creation of the work.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
What can be Patented?
Inventions, processes, machines, certain types of plants, and designs.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Does Copyright protect against all types of copying?
It protects against unauthorized use, subject to fair use exceptions.
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Dec 28, 2023
How do I register a Copyright?
While automatic, registration can be made through the Copyright Office for legal benefits.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Can artistic works be Patented?
No, patents are for inventions, not creative works.
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Dec 28, 2023
Is a Patent necessary to sell an invention?
No, but it prevents others from making, using, or selling the invention.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can a Patent be sold or transferred?
Yes, patents are intellectual property and can be transferred.
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Dec 28, 2023
How are Copyright and Patent infringements resolved?
Often through legal action in courts, possibly resulting in fines or injunctions.
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Dec 28, 2023
Is public disclosure required for a Patent?
Yes, as part of the application process.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can a Patent be renewed?
No, once it expires, the invention enters the public domain.
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Dec 28, 2023
Does a Patent protect an invention worldwide?
No, patents are generally only valid in the country where they're granted.
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Dec 28, 2023
Are Copyright and Patent laws international?
They vary by country, but many countries adhere to international treaties.
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Dec 28, 2023
Can software be Copyrighted or Patented?
Software can be copyrighted, and in some cases, certain aspects can be patented.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Do Copyright and Patent protect the same types of work?
No, Copyright is for creative works, and Patent is for inventions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
What does 'patent pending' mean?
It indicates that a patent application has been filed but not yet granted.
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Dec 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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