Copyright provides legal protection for original works like books, songs, and art. Business logos also qualify for automatic copyright. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office boosts your rights, defending your exclusive right to reproduce, distribute and publicly display your logo.
Registering Your Logo
- To copyright your logo, use the copyright symbol.
- Register your logo online to protect it.
- You can also trademark your logo by registering and paying a fee.
To prove you created a logo, register with a service to show the date. Many wrongly think social media posts or design drafts can prove the date of creation, but these are not reliable in court.
Safeguarding Your Brand
Your logo represents your brand identity. Copyright and trademark law protect that visual property, marking unauthorized use as infringement. This is especially important for startups and small businesses, where securing intellectual property is crucial to prevent threats to sales and reputation.
Key Points to Remember
- Copyright arises automatically when you author a creative work.
- Federal registration provides significant benefits, such as easier enforcement of rights.
- Trademark needs an application and develops legal force over time through continued commercial use.
- Copyright mainly covers artistic rights, while trademarks are about consumer recognition and brand identity in the marketplace.