Copyrights expire 70 years after the author's death. Trademarks and patents, on the other hand, protect industrial property. Trademark protection aims to prevent consumers from confusing one manufacturer with another. In a similar way, a service mark distinguishes among service providers. Trademark protection can last indefinitely, as long as the trademark continues to be distinctive.
Patents protect inventions and ornamental designs.
Patent protection aims to encourage investment in the research and development of new technology, and most patents last 20 years from the filing date. Patent protection also helps encourage foreign direct investment, joint ventures and product licensing. Most businesses are concerned with patent and trademark protection - as well they should be. Franklin Pierce Law Center professor Thomas Field Jr . compares launching a product without first doing patent and trademark searches to buying real estate without first doing a title search. First, make sure you're not infringing on someone else's patent.