A question sometimes asked by companies seeking trade mark
protection is whether they can avoid the cost by simply relying on
copyright to protect their valuable brand names and logos.
Copyright is a very useful form of IP and certainly has its
purpose.
For instance, copyright covers a broad range of subject matter
(e.g. from literary, artistic and musical works, to films and radio
broadcasts). Further copyright protection is usually automatic
(i.e. it is free and in many countries does not need to be
registered) and it generally offers a degree of international
protection for a lengthy period of time.
Conversely, trade marks must usually be registered separately in
each country of interest, and must also be renewed in ten year
blocks. Trade mark protection can also be revoked if a trade mark
is not used, whereas there is no 'use it or lose it'
requirement for copyright owners.
