On 5/22/26 8:35 AM, Dan Ritter wrote:
A patent covers the method.
A copyright covers the wording.
More precisely (and note that I'm not an IP attorney, and neither do I
play one on television, but I do have a general understanding of the
basics of IP law):
A patent protects an *idea.* It places a very heavy burden of
proof-of-originality upon the applicant, and has a relatively short term.
A copyright protects an *expression* of an idea. It is very easy to get,
placing a very heavy burden of proof upon those seeking to invalidate
it, and has a very long (perhaps too long, these days) term.
And a trademark registration protects a name, logo, or other branding
identification for a commercial product, from those who would either
wrongfully profit from the reputation of its maker, or intentionally
damage that reputation, or both.
--
JHHL
