Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights
A trademark may be a word, symbol, logo, slogan, or any combination thereof that is used to identify and distinguish one person's goods or services from the goods or services of another, and serves as an indicator of source of the goods or services. A consumer encountering a trademark identifies products bearing the same mark to be sold by, or produced by, the same producer, even if the name of that producer is unknown to the consumer. Trademarks used in interstate commerce may be registered under federal law. Trademarks used in connection with the sale of goods or services in Texas may be registered under state law.
Information on filing an application for registration of a federal trademark or service mark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Information on filing an application for registration of a state trademark or service mark with the Texas Secretary of State.
A patent is a property right granted by the US Government to an inventor "to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States." A patent is granted for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted.
Information on filing a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A copyright is a form of protection afforded by the laws of the United States to the authors of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works.
Information on filing a copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office in the Library of Congress.