In the case of a copyrighted character, a trademark can be utilized to protect its commercial use. A corporation selling items featuring copyrighted characters, for instance, can register a trademark for a specific character's appearance or name to prohibit others from using similar characters in connection with comparable products or services. By registering a trademark, the owner is able to prohibit others from benefiting from the unauthorized use of the copyrighted characters and ensure that their own goods and services are clearly recognizable to their customers.