Side by side
| Trademark | Copyright | Patent / design | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protects | Brand names, logos, slogans — what tells buyers who made it | Photos, text, artwork, software code, music | Inventions (patent); the look of a product (design) |
| Registration | Needed for strong rights in most countries | Automatic on creation; registration helps enforcement in some countries (e.g. US) | Required |
| How long | Renewable every 10 years, indefinitely | Usually the author’s life plus 50–70 years | Patents ~20 years; designs typically 15–25 years |
| Use against copycats | Fakes and listings using your brand | Stolen photos, copied descriptions and artwork | Copies of your product’s shape or function |
Which do you need?
- Selling under a brand name? Trademark first.
- Copied product photos or listings? Copyright takedown — see removing copycat listings.
- Copied product shape with another brand? Design or patent — file before you publish the product.
Note on patents
TrademarksHub focuses on trademarks. Many firms on the platform also handle designs and copyright, and some refer patent work to patent attorneys.
A typical request on TrademarksHub
Example
“A furniture maker finds exact copies of a chair sold under a different name and asks whether a trademark or a design registration would have stopped it.”
Illustrative example. On TrademarksHub requests are shown as “Private brand owner”, and only firms that cover the chosen countries can reply.Questions
Can I trademark a product design?
Usually you protect a product’s look with a design registration. Some shapes can be trademarks only once buyers recognise them as a brand.
Do I need to register copyright?
No — copyright is automatic. In the US, registration is needed before suing for infringement of a US work.
Can a logo be both a trademark and copyright?
Yes. The artwork is protected by copyright, and its use as a brand by trademark.