Three different tools for three different assets. The fastest way to see it:
| Trademark | Copyright | Patent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protects | Brand identifiers — names, logos, slogans | Creative works — text, art, code, media | Inventions — how things work |
| Stops others from | Confusingly similar branding | Copying the work | Making/selling the invention |
| Typical cost | $950 – $2,000/class | $45 – $65 gov't fee | $10,000 – $25,000+ through grant |
| Lasts | Forever, with use + renewals | Author's life + 70 years | 20 years (utility) |
| Speed | 8–14 months | Months (registration) | 18–36 months |
The expensive mistake isn't picking the wrong one — it's assuming one covers the others. A registered trademark does nothing about a copied mechanism; a patent does nothing about a copied name.
A free consultation maps which protections your specific business needs, in what order, at what cost.
Describe your name, brand, or invention — hear back within one business day.
Commonly. A smart water bottle: patent on the sensing mechanism, trademark on the brand name and logo, copyright on the app code and marketing content. They protect different layers of the same business.
Copyright — registration runs about $45–$65 in government fees and protection technically exists from creation. Trademarks are mid-hundreds to low thousands; patents are thousands to tens of thousands.
Yes, from the moment of creation — but you can't sue without registering, and registering before infringement unlocks statutory damages and attorney's fees. Registration is cheap insurance.
The fourth category: valuable information kept confidential (formulas, processes, lists). No registration exists — protection comes from actually keeping it secret, with NDAs and access controls.
Trademarking a name costs $350 per class in USPTO fees, with attorney-handled registrations totaling $950–$2,000 in 2026.
Read the guide →The real process for trademarking a name in 2026: clearance search, classes, filing basis, USPTO examination, publication, and registration — with timelines and pitfalls at each step..
Read the guide →Patents cost $1,500–$5,000 for a provisional and $8,000–$20,000+ for an attorney-drafted utility application in 2026.
Read the guide →