In some cases, using a patented invention depends on another person's prior, unexpired patent. Violating patent rights is known as infringement and can be litigated. Patent search engines. IBM Patent Server US Patent Office Trademarks. A brand name is one common type of trademark.
Trademarks promote competition by giving products corporate identity and marketing leverage.
No federal law protecting trademarks exists. Legal definitions vary from state to state. A copyright is a right that protects published and unpublished works such as literary, dramatic, musical, dance, films, etc. and computer programs from being copied. Copyrights protect the expression of ideas and not the ideas themselves. A trade secret is a formula, pattern, manufacturing process, method of doing business, or technical know-how that gives it's holder competitive advantage.