The life of a patent has recently been extended from 17 years to 20 years. New, non-obvious, utility, generally the subject of the patent must be mechanical, electrical or chemical processes and compositions. Generally ideas per se are not patentable. Trade secret as an alternative to patents. Enforcement is up to the patent owner.
Software is copyrightable.
Actual use of the mark b. Filing of application with PTO stating intent to use mark in interstate commerce. What is copyrighted is a work that has been put into a tangible form of expression. A sporting event is not copyrighted, but the broadcast of it is. Authors life plus 70 years. Registration of the copyright is a legal formality that may help enforce the copyright.