University of Massachusetts Amherst

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Protecting

Copyright

Copyright, as defined by the US Copyright Office, 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. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.

Trademarks

A trademark, as defined by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), "can be any word, phrase, symbol, design, or a combination of these things that identifies your goods or services. It’s how customers recognize you in the marketplace and distinguish you from your competitors.The word “trademark” can refer to both trademarks and service marks. A trademark is used for goods, while a service mark is used for services. A trademark: identifies the source of your goods or services; provides legal protection for your brand; and helps you guard against counterfeiting and fraud."